Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface faces a possible suspension if he’s found guilty of displaying unsportsmanlike conduct during Saturday’s Super Cup victory over VfB Stuttgart. The Nigeria international is at the centre of controversy after his post-match celebrations seemed to rile up the Stuttgart bench.
Boniface was named in Xabi Alonso’s starting line-up for the Super Cup match and opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the 11th minute.
Enzo Millot and Deniz Undaz, however, scored on either side of the half to overturn the score before Patrik Schick’s late equaliser forced the game into penalties, which Leverkusen won 4-3 to scoop their first major trophy of the 2024/25 campaign.
While Boniface was substituted in the first half and, therefore, did not partake in the shootout, he celebrated wildly after the full-time whistle as he ran across the Stuttgart players, making a middle finger gesture.
German FA investigates Victor Boniface’s middle finger gesture
Victor Boniface’s hand gesture is now being investigated by the German Football Association (DFB), with the Nigerian striker facing a retrospective suspension.
A statement from the DFB on Monday said the 23-year-old has been asked to respond to the charge as soon as possible, after which a ruling will be delivered on the matter.
“The player of the German champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen is suspected of having been guilty of blatantly anti-sporting conduct in the form of unsportsmanlike conduct during the DFL Supercup match against VfB Stuttgart last Saturday,” the DFB statement reads.
“The Nigerian international is suspected of having shown the Stuttgart players his outstretched left middle finger as he ran past them immediately after the final whistle. When asked, referee Tobias Stieler stated that he had not seen this scene, which is why the control committee can investigate retrospectively.”
Should Boniface be found guilty, he will miss the start of the Bundesliga season for Leverkusen.