Is Mats Hummels missing in Champions League showdown with Sporting Lisbon? The BVB is still hoping that the centre-back will not be suspended after his red card against Ajax.
“We will make a clear statement to the association about this,” said sporting director Michael Zorc. “In it we will explain that the TV pictures prove that it was not a red card and we therefore think we have already been punished enough by the sending-off.”
Hummels was sent off in the 29th minute of last Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Ajax for allegedly committing a gross foul and faces a ban in what is likely to be a crucial away game at group runners-up Sporting on 24 November.
In any case, the chances are not very high that Dortmund’s statement will lead to a waiver of the penalty. As a rule, UEFA will only withdraw a ban if there has been a mix-up in the identification of the alleged culprit. The Champions League regulations state: “In principle, a player sent off (…) is automatically suspended for the next match (…) “
