Paulo Otavio handed four-game ban for incredibly obvious red card lunge during Wolfsburg clash with Hoffenheim

PAULO OTAVIO has been given a four-match ban for his horrendous two-footed lunge during Wolfsburg’s 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Saturday. The Brazilian defender, 26, threw himself into one of the most blatant professional fouls in football history during the Bundesliga clash. With Wolfsburg trailing 2-1 in the dying moments, they threw all players – […]

PAULO OTAVIO has been given a four-match ban for his horrendous two-footed lunge during Wolfsburg’s 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Saturday.

The Brazilian defender, 26, threw himself into one of the most blatant professional fouls in football history during the Bundesliga clash.

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Paulo Otavio has been banned for four matches for his last-gasp hack during Wolfsburg’s 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Saturday[/caption]

With Wolfsburg trailing 2-1 in the dying moments, they threw all players – including goalkeeper Koen Casteels – up for one last chance.

But after Hoffenheim scrambled the ball away, striker Mu’nas Dabbur was left clean through on goal.

After a lung-busting run, Otavio got within range of Dabbur before throwing both of his legs around the forward’s and hauling him down.

The hack saved a certain goal, but he may have done more damage than good.

Not only did Wolfsburg not find a late leveller, they will now be forced to do without Otavio for FOUR games after he was hit with a severe ban.

Wolfsburg tweeted the news, revealing:: “Four game suspension…

“After his red card in the game at the @tsghoffenheim Paulo Otavio will be missing until mid-April.

“The judgment was given by the sports court of @DFB on Tuesday afternoon.”

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AP:Associated Press

Otavio, left, was shown a straight red for the sickening, last-ditch lunge[/caption]

Otavio has been a key figure in high-flying Wolfsburg’s squad this season.

The Brazilian left-back has played 25 times in all competitions, including the Bundesliga DFB-Pokal and Europa League.

Despite their loss to mid-table Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg still sit third in the Bundesliga table, ten points off leaders Bayern Munich.

But Otavio will now miss key games against Schalke, Werder Bremen, Koln and Eintracht Frankfurt – with the latter just two points behind Wolfsburg in fourth.