ESPNsoccernet: England

HANNOVER, Germany -- A German player is proving that there's still fair play in soccer.

Hannover midfielder Lars Stindl has been suspended for a Bundesliga match after pointing out he should be banned for getting five yellow cards this season.

The 24-year-old Stindl, a teammate of American defender Steve Cherundolo, kept count better than German soccer authorities who failed to register an earlier yellow.

When Stindl was cautioned Saturday in a 5-0 loss against leader Bayern Munich, he told his club it should trigger a one-match ban.

Stindl says he wasn't tempted to exploit the official error, asking: "Why should we hide something?"

Hannover published the story on its website with the message: "Hats off, Lars!"

Coach Mirko Slomka praises Stindl as "an extremely fair sportsman" -- who will watch the home match against struggling Greuther Fuerth from the sidelines.