Hitzfeld faces disciplinary action over gesture
Reuters - Tuesday 16 October 2012, 12:10
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is facing disciplinary action from FIFA after making an insulting gesture to the referee after his side's World Cup qualifier against Norway.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach was captured by television cameras sticking his middle finger - known in German as the "Stinkefinger" - at the referee David Fernandez at the end of Friday's 1-1 draw.
The usually unflappable Hitzfeld only raised his finger for a split second and the referee did not appear to see the incident, but it has become a big talking-point in staid Switzerland.
Switzerland, who visit Iceland later on Tuesday, lead Group E with seven points from three games.
FIFA said in a statement that disciplinary proceedings had been opened by the deputy chairman of the disciplinary committee, Venezuela's Rafael Esquivel, as chairman Marcel Mathier is Swiss.
Hitzfeld has 10 days to present his version of the incident.