Bensebaini’s Super Cup red card brings German Cup suspension

Rami Bensebaini has been suspended for Borussia Dortmund’s opening two potential matches in the German Cup after being sent off against Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup.

The German Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that its sports court had imposed a two-match ban on the Algeria defender for “violent conduct”, according to German newspaper Bild.

Bensebaini will therefore miss Dortmund’s first-round German Cup tie against a fifth-tier club, which is scheduled to take place next Tuesday evening. He will also be unavailable for a possible second-round fixture at the end of October.

The suspension applies only to the German Cup and does not affect Bensebaini’s availability in the Bundesliga. His position for Dortmund’s league opener remains separate from the punishment resulting from his dismissal in the Super Cup.

Bensebaini was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute of Dortmund’s 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich. Referee Daniel Schlager dismissed him after the defender made a forceful challenge on Ismael Saibari, Bayern’s new player.

The decision means Dortmund will have to begin their German Cup campaign without one of their experienced defensive options. The identity of their fifth-tier opponents was not specified in the report, but the first-round match is due to be played next Tuesday evening.

Bensebaini’s availability for Dortmund’s next Bundesliga match is also uncertain for a separate reason. He suffered a heavy blow to his ribs during the defeat by Bayern and is still being assessed after sustaining a significant rib bruise.

As a result, the defender could miss the club’s next league fixture even though he has not been suspended from Bundesliga competition. The final decision on whether he can play will depend on his recovery from the injury.

The two-match German Cup ban is similar to the punishment given to Martin Terrier of Bayer Leverkusen after he was sent off in the German Super Cup in 2024. Terrier was also suspended for two German Cup matches.

Bensebaini’s dismissal came during a match between the two leading German clubs, with Bayern Munich securing a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. The red card was the final major disciplinary incident of the contest and has now resulted in a sanction that will carry into Dortmund’s German Cup campaign.

The Algerian defender will consequently serve the first match of his suspension in the competition’s opening round and, unless the punishment is altered, the second in a potential tie later in October. His league status, meanwhile, remains unaffected by the German Football Association’s ruling.