German club Fortuna Dusseldorf has punished midfielder Kerem Demirbay by making him officiate a girls' football game for making a sexist remark towards a female match official.
The 22-year-old told referee Bibiana Steinhaus that "women have no place in men's football" after being red-carded during a Bundesliga second division game on Thursday. He was also banned by the league for the next three matches, The Guradian reported on Monday.
Demirbay, who is on loan from first division club Hamburg, apologised after the incident, saying: "That comment does not reflect my opinion of women." However, his club decided to hand down their own appropriate punishment to hammer home the message.
Following the match where Demirbay officiated, the club posted some pictures on Facebook on Monday, with the footballer holding a green whistle, alongside the caption: "This is what happens when a young player makes a mistake!"
