German football tribunal to look at throat-slitting gesture

BERLIN (AP) The German football federation's sports tribunal has opened proceedings against Werder Bremen defender Papy Djilobodji for making a throat-slitting gesture during a Bundesliga game.

Federation media director Ralf Koettker tells news agency dpa that any repercussions ''will be decided promptly by the committee tomorrow.''

TV footage shows Djilobodji running his finger across his throat to Mainz midfielder Pablo De Blasis, who was lying on the pitch after a clash during the sides' 1-1 draw on Saturday. Referee Manuel Graefe didn't see the gesture.

Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik and sporting director Thomas Eichin both played down the incident.

Former St. Pauli forward Deniz Naki was banned for three games for making a similar gesture to Hansa Rostock fans in November 2009.

Senegal international Djilobodji is on loan at Bremen from Chelsea.