Didi Hamann calls for a ban on Nadiem Amiri after unsporting action

When the camera showed the penalty kick in the Borussia Mönchengladbach arena, Nadiem Amiri could be seen working the penalty spot with his studs, even though Mainz were leading 2‑1. The incident immediately sparked outrage and brought the discussion about fair play in German football back into focus.

TV expert Didi Hamann reacted on Sky immediately and called the action “grossly unsporting” and “a line that was far crossed”. “I would take that out of circulation,” he continued, demanding a match ban for the Mainz international.

Nevertheless, Hamann emphasized that Amiri “has great value for the team” and is already an international, but he warned: “Children are watching, you don’t do that in sport.” He pointed out that role models in football bear responsibility.

Penalty missed, Gladbach stays behind

Shortly after the controversial incident, Gladbach defender Kevin Diks stepped up and struck the penalty with full force against the right post. The shot was ineffective, while Mainz subsequently equalised to 2‑2 through Isac Lidberg.

Mainz then turned the game to their advantage when Eric Martel and Danny da Costa each scored, bringing the result to 4‑2. In stoppage time Shuto Machino converted a hand penalty, but by then Amiri had already been substituted.

Consequences for the coaching staff and national team

Parallel to the incident, Borussia Mönchengladbach, after its fourth defeat in the fourth league match, sat at the bottom of the table, leaving Hamburger SV behind. Alexander Blessin is now set to take over from Eugen Polanski, while interim coach Jan‑Moritz Lichte oversaw the team on Saturday.

For the 29‑year‑old Amiri, the international fixtures against the Netherlands and Greece are now on the agenda. He is among the first two players from the new DFB squad of national team coach Jürgen Klopp to be called up for the next four matches.

Hamann's clear words underline that unsporting behaviour in professional football must not be tolerated, because children follow the action and need role models. The debate about possible sanctions for Amiri could in the future set clear limits for conduct on the pitch.