Van der Vaart banned for three games after brawl

Hamburg SV's Rafael van der Vaart was banned for three games and fined 10,000 euros ($12,060) yesterday for his part in an on-pitch brawl. Germany's Football Association (DFB) handed the Dutch international the suspension for shoving an opponent after...

Hamburg SV's Rafael van der Vaart was banned for three games and fined 10,000 euros ($12,060) yesterday for his part in an on-pitch brawl.

Germany's Football Association (DFB) handed the Dutch international the suspension for shoving an opponent after the final whistle in Hamburg's 1-0 defeat by VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Maik Franz of Wolfsburg, also sent off in the incident, was banned for two games.

Wolfsburg coach Holger Fach, who ran onto the pitch just as the final whistle sounded, was banned for one game and fined 10,000 euros.

The DFB has also opened a disciplinary case against Hamburg's Guy Demel after television pictures appeared to show him punching Franz as players from both sides squared up.

The referee did not see the incident and took no action against the Ivory Coast defender.

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