DFB open Schmidt investigation

Leverkusen's clash with BVB Dortmund on Sunday was halted for nearly 10 minutes in the second half after official Felix Zwayer took the players off the pitch following Schmidt's refusal to leave the technical area.

The former Red Bull Salzburg coach reacted angrily to Dortmund being awarded a free kick in the lead up to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's winner.

Schmidt apologised after the match, explaining that he was frustrated to have been sent to the stands without being given an explanation in person by the referee.

Zwayer claimed he had asked Schmidt to leave the dugout "several times" before he was forced to bring a halt to the match.

A DFB statement on Monday read: "The monitoring committee of the DFB has begun an investigation into Roger Schmidt, the coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

"The committee has written to Schmidt to ask for a timely explanation. After the presentation and review of the explanation, the panel will decide on a further course of proceedings."