Clemens Fandrich, Rot-Weiss Essen’s most recent addition, did not have a pleasant end to 2021. He was suspended for seven games during that time.

Clemens Fandrich, who was introduced as a newcomer at Rot-Weiss Essen on Friday (26 August 2022), will not remember 22 October 2021 fondly.

In the 2nd Bundesliga match between FC Erzgebirge Aue and FC Ingolstadt (2:2), the new Essen player saw the red card in the 89th minute – officially for a spitting attack. What had happened?

Fandrich allegedly spat in the eye of referee assistant Roman Potemkin. The then Aue professional denied the accusations. He had complained to the assistant, but did not spit at him. In short: In the excitement of the discussion, some saliva probably flew out of Andrich’s mouth in the direction of the assistant. The sports court did not believe Fandrich and demanded a seven-month ban!

Aue board member and lawyer Kay Werner told the “Bild” newspaper at the time: “Seven months is an unacceptable sentence. We will exhaust the legal remedies available to us and appeal. I am of the opinion that very essential procedural rules were not observed.”

Werner continued: “Furthermore, after taking evidence, the court came to the conclusion that Clemens had spat deliberately. I cannot understand that either. Even Roman Potemkin made it clear in his testimony that it happened in direct connection with Clemens speaking and complaining. To then arrive at an assault as a result is incomprehensible to me.”

Aue’s objection had paid off. In the end, Fandrich “only” had to serve a seven-game suspension instead of seven months.