BERLIN - Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been suspended for today's German Cup match against VfB Luebeck because he attended Munich's beer festival last weekend after his side's defeat by Cologne.

BERLIN - Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been suspended for today's German Cup match against VfB Luebeck because he attended Munich's beer festival last weekend after his side's defeat by Cologne.

The 39-year-old was suspended for the second-round match at Luebeck, and possibly this weekend's Bundesliga game at Eintracht Frankfurt, after club officials heard he attended last Saturday's festival opening without telling them.

"That evening, I drank only half a Radler (a beer and lemonade shandy) and then mineral water after that," Lehmann told Bild newspaper. "I drove myself home later on."

Lehmann was at fault in Stuttgart's 2-0 league defeat to Cologne, who picked up their first win of the season last Saturday. He gave Cologne their second goal when he raced out of his area only to lose possession.

Coach Markus Babbel said he would talk to the ex-Germany star about the unauthorised beer outing. Lehmann seems to have accepted his punishment. "The visit to Oktoberfest was for a charity event which had long since been planned, but had not been agreed with the club," he said. - Sapa-AFP