SPORTS: BAYERN'S MANUEL NEWER GETS FIRST RED CARD IN 866-GAME CAREER

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Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time in his 866-match career on Tuesday, seeing a straight red for a last-man foul on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.

The 38-year-old rushed out of the box in typical fashion 18 minutes in to the German Cup last 16 clash, taking out an advancing Frimpong.

Neuer was shown straight red, bringing Israel ‘keeper Daniel Peretz on for his Bayern debut, and was seen apologising to coach Vincent Kompany after leaving the field.

Bayern’s captain has received a yellow card 23 times during his career. All have come at club level, with the 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper never cautioned during his 124-game international career.

Speaking at half-time while acting as a pundit for TV channel ARD, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called the sending-off “indisputable”, adding “understanding space has always been Manu’s strength, but here it might have been better to wait.”

The match, between the 20-time winners and current holders Leverkusen was particularly tense, with referee Harm Osmers handing out three yellow cards in addition to Neuer’s red in the opening 22 minutes.

Despite playing for Israel at international level, Tuesday’s match was Peretz’s first game for Bayern, having joined the club in the summer of 2023.

AFP