Bayern manager Ancelotti avoids ban for middle-finger gesture

Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti will be on the touchline this weekend after avoiding a suspension for making a lewd gesture toward Hertha Berlin supporters in Saturday's dramatic 1-1 draw.

The Bundesliga side responded to a request from the German Football Association (DFB) to have Ancelotti explain why he gave rival supporters the middle finger.

In a statement, Bayern backed its manager's "emotional" gesture and revealed he'll make a donation:

We regard Carlo Ancelotti's gesture in response to being spat at as an understandable emotional reaction.

The DFB panel has accepted this position and will cease its inquiry. However, as an apology for his gesture Carlo Ancelotti will make a donation of €5,000 to the DFB Foundation.

Following the incident, Ancelotti told reporters he gave rival fans the finger after some allegedly spat at him following Robert Lewandowski's 96th-minute equaliser.