Werder Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro has been handed a two-match ban for violent conduct in his side’s 3-0 win over Hannover last weekend.

The Peruvian raised his hand and appeared to slap opponent Emanuel Pogatetz in the face.

As referee Christian Dingert did not see the incident, television evidence was viewed by the German Football Association (DFB), who handed out the suspension.

Bremen have 24 hours to lodge an appeal, otherwise Pizarro will miss their matches against Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg.

Pizarro said at the weekend that there was no intent and that he was just trying to free his hand.

However, the DFB viewed that there was some intent when deciding on the ban for a “mild case of violent conduct”, while taking into consideration that Pizarro may also have been provoked.