Hamburg's Atouba punished

Cameroon's Thimothee Atouba was jeered by his own fans

German club Hamburg have given their Cameroon defender Thimothee Atouba a two-match ban for his obscene gesture to the home fans.

Atouba was also given a hefty fine for his actions during Hamburg's 3-2 Champions League win over Russia's CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was substituted off in the 68th minute and responded to booing from the crowd by raising his middle finger, for whcih he received a red card for his conduct.

The angry fans also then threw beer over him.

He has apologised for his actions saying he had let the German club down.

"I have caused the club and the team great harm," said Atouba.

"I am aware that I have a responsibility to Hamburg."

Hamburg coach Thomas Doll admitted the gesture was unacceptable but said the Cameroon defender was still in his plans.

"Sometimes players get jeered when they are below-par and when 50,000 fans are booing you it is not nice but that is by no means an excuse for what he did," Doll said.

"But he is our player and we will back him and hope he plays the second half of the season like has done in the first."

Atouba gave away a penalty in the 23rd minute was later beaten by Yuri Zhirkov in the 65th minute that gave Moscow a 2-1 lead, faced loud jeers every time he touched the ball after the second Moscow goal.

"It's irresponsible to treat our fans like that," said HSV chairman Bernd Hoffmann.

Club captain Rafael van der Vaart defended Atouba.

"It's not right that the whole stadium jeers Timmy. It's normal that it hurt hurt him and hurt the whole team."