Givemefootball - Hamburg midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia will not face punishment from the German Football Association (DFB) despite television replays appearing to show him diving to earn a penalty against Borussia Dortmund.
The Iran international fell over the outstretched arm of Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, with the resultant spot-kick setting his side on their way to only their second win of the season last Saturday.
"The decision of the referee, in which it was the Dortmund goalkeeper who made contact with Mahdavikia and not a deceptive act by the player, is a factual one," explained DFB judge Horst Hilpert. "This rules out a retrospective punishment for an apparent voluntary fall by Mahdavikia on the grounds of gross sporting misconduct."