Hamburg's Mahdavikia gets three-game Bundesliga ban

IRNA - Hamburger SV defender Mehdi Mahdavikia will serve a three-match Bundesliga ban after picking up a red card during his team's 1-1 home draw against northern rivals Werder Bremen on Saturday, DPA reported Monday.

The Iranian international who was sent off in the 74th minute for committing a rough foul on Bremen's Diego, was also fined 5,000 Euros by the sports court of the German Football Federation (DFB).

Mahdavikia said earlier the red card was justified after watching the foul scene on German television.

A self-proclaimed Bundesliga championship contender, Hamburg is currently ranked 14th with four points out of five matches.