HANNOVER, Germany – A German player is proving that there's still fair play in soccer.
Hannover midfielder Lars Stindl has been suspended for a Bundesliga match after pointing out he should be banned for getting five yellow cards this season.
The 24-year-old Stindl, a teammate of American defender Steve Cherundolo, kept count better than German soccer authorities who failed to register an earlier yellow.
When Stindl was cautioned Saturday in a 5-0 loss against leader Bayern Munich, he told his club it should trigger a one-match ban.
Stindl says he wasn't tempted to exploit the official error, asking: "Why should we hide something?"
Hannover published the story on its website with the message: "Hats off, Lars!"
Coach Mirko Slomka praises Stindl as "an extremely fair sportsman" — who will watch the home match against struggling Greuther Fuerth from the sidelines.
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