Witsel banned for leg-breaking tackle

Reuters - Tuesday 01 September 2009, 15:22

BRUSSELS - Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel has been suspended until November 23 for a foul that resulted in Anderlecht's Polish defender Marcin Wasilewski suffering a double fracture of his right leg on Sunday.

Witsel, who won Belgium's "Golden Shoe" for best player in 2008, will be ineligible for the next 10 league matches and a round of the Belgian Cup. He was also fined 2,500 euros by the Belgian FA on Tuesday.

Witsel, 20, could additionally miss Standard's first four Champions League matches should European football's governing body UEFA extend the ban to their competition.

Wasilewski, 29, was stamped on by Witsel in the 25th minute of Anderlecht's 1-1 draw at home to Standard.

The incident has been the lead item on television news and pictures of Wasilewski's contorted lower leg have been splashed across Belgian newspapers.

Witsel has received emailed death threats, which the police are taking seriously, according to Belgian media.

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