Ghanaian player Bernard Tekpetey has been surprisingly banned for his reaction to racist insults from away fans during his side’s Austrian Cup tie against third tier Union Gurten.

The 20-year old Altach striker gets a two-match ban after he was sent off for his reaction to alleged racist insults during the said game.

His team eventually won 4-3 after extra-time and the player was seen gesturing towards Union Gurten’s fans after netting his side’s fourth goal from a free-kick during extra time.

The Austrian league while announcing the verdict said it was recognised that Tekpetey “was exposed to provocation” but found “no wrong decision by the referee”. Altach are clearly not satisfies with the verdict and have decided to appeal against the decision after “unbelievable” insults.

The league’s disciplinary committee added that the second match of the ban had been suspended for six months after the amount of provocation towards Tekpetey, who is on loan from German club Schalke 04, was taken into account.

In a related development, the Austrian federation (OeFB) has confirmed that it had opened its own case against third tier side Union Gurten.

The federation’s general secretary Thomas Hollerer while confirming the new development said: “The OeFB strongly condemns, as a basic rule, any form of racism.”

“Our organisation stands for diversity, tolerance, and integration in all areas.” he added.

Austrian football third tier club Union Gurten also confirmed that the cup tie was “briefly interrupted by racist chanting from the public”, adding they condemned their behaviour and would ban offenders.