Hoffenheim´s Eduardo receives five-match ban

Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo will miss all bar two of Hoffenheim’s remaining Bundesliga games after being hit with a five-match ban on Tuesday.

The German Football Federation (DFB) have taken a tough stance with the 21-year-old who was sent off in Hoffenheim’s shock 3-0 defeat at home to Bochum on Saturday for elbowing opponent Philipp Boenig in the chest in the 59th minute.

Hoffenheim ended the game with nine men after goalkeeper Daniel Haas was sent off just two minutes later for hauling down Slovakian striker Stanislav Sestak when he was clear through on goal.

Haas has been banned for three games, but the DFB have come down harder on Eduardo who has a poor recent disciplinary record and will now only be able to play in his club’s final two games of the current season.

Eduardo was sent off for fighting in a friendly against Hamburg on January 14 which earned him suspensions for two league games and three friendly games. Both the club and player have said they will not appeal the decision.

Despite having begun the year as Bundesliga leaders, Hoffenheim are now sixth in the league and are 10 points behind leaders Wolfsburg.