SOCCER

Bayern Munich defends coach Carlo Ancelotti for offensive gesture to fans

AP

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich has defended coach Carlo Ancelotti for raising his middle finger to Hertha Berlin fans after supposedly being spit at following a dramatic 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti before the German Bundesliga soccer match against Hertha BSC.

Bayern says "basically we find the human reaction of Carlo Ancelotti with the gesture to be emotionally understandable after the nasty spitting attack."

Robert Lewandowski's injury-time equalizer for Bayern on Saturday prompted altercations between Bayern and Hertha players in a heated atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium.

The German soccer federation ended its investigation into the matter after Ancelotti agreed to pay 5,000 euros ($5,300) to its foundation for social work.

In 2014, Norbert Duewel, then-coach of second-division club Union Berlin, was fined 3,500 euros for raising his middle finger in a 4-1 loss at home against 1860 Munich.

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