Lehmann accepts fine by Stuttgart

Dec 17, 2009, 15:04 GMT

Stuttgart - Jens Lehmann has decided accept a hefty fine handed down to him by VfB Stuttgart for criticism he expressed in a television interview last week that the club management caved in to young fans when it sacked coach Markus Babbel.

Former Germany goalkeeper Lehmann, 40 initially reportedly refused to pay the fine, said to be around 40,000 euros (59,000 dollars), but changed his mind after a meeting with new coach Christian Gross and Stuttgart sporting director Horst Heldt.

'We went through all the issues and cleared everything up,' said Heldt.

Lehmann is currently serving a three-match suspension following his sending off in the 1-1 weekend draw against Mainz 05. He received a straight red card and conceded a late penalty for standing on the foot of Mainz striker Aristide Bance.

As the German Bundesliga takes a winter break after this weekend's round of matches, Lehmann will not be available for selection until the home match against Borussia Dortmund on January 31.