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German league leaders Schalke's defender Lincoln has been disqualified for five Bundesliga matches. The 28-year-old Brazilian received this punishment for hitting an opponent in the face. Just after last weekend's game against Bayer Leverkusen, which Schalke lost 0-1, Lincoln struck opponent Bernd Schneider. Referee Manuel Graefe immediately showed the footballer a red card, and the German Football Federation's disciplinary committee decided on a 5-match disqualification for the offender. Schalke agrees with this penalty and will not appeal the decision. Lincoln, who has played 60 matches and scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga since 2004, will only be able to return to the pitch on April 14th against Mainz. The Brazilian will have to miss important matches against Stuttgart and Bayern.
