Midfielder Kerem Demirbay faces five match ban for allegedly making sexist comments towards female official

Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Kerem Demirbay is facing a three-match ban, which could be extended to five, after he allegedly made sexist comments towards a female official after being sent off in a 2. Bundesliga fixture last weekend.

Demirbay would have been due an automatic one-match suspension after being booked twice in the 2-1 win over FSV Frankfurt, but, as he left the pitch, he reportedly told referee Bibiana Steinhaus there is no place for women in football.

Steinhaus included the comments in her report on the match.

Demirbay called Steinhaus personally after the game and apologised, saying his remarks were made in the heat-of-the-moment and does not reflect his true views on women being involved in football.

Although the DFB has yet to publish an official sanction, Fortuna sporting director Rachid Azzouzi said the 22-year-old Turkish midfielder was facing an extended ban, starting with Monday's match against Eintracht Braunschweig.

"We've been informed that he's going to be banned for five games, two of which are a suspended sentence," Azzouzi said at a press conference on Friday.

Fortuna have further suggested that Demirbay should voluntarily referee a women's match in the near future.

Steinhaus is currently the only female referee in Germany's second division. The Hanover-based policewoman is also regularly a fourth official at top-flight matches.

This season, Dr Riem Hussein has been promoted to third-division level and she could soon take her place on the 2. Bundesliga refereeing list alongside Steinhaus.