Frankfurt - The control panel of the German Football Federation (DFB) announced Friday that it has suspended its investigation into two Hoffenheim players for an alleged violation of doping regulations.

The DFB probe began after Andreas Ibertsberger and Christoph Janker failed to appear directly after Hoffenheim's Bundesliga match on February 7 at Borussia Moenchengladbach for a post-match doping control.

However, the investigation has now been suspended because the DFB said there was no evidence of the players "refusing or missing a doping control after being requested" after they turned up 10 minutes late for a doping control.

Both Ibertsberger, a 26-year-old Austrian international, and fellow defender Jancker, 24, recorded negative doping tests in the controls carried out after the match which ended 1-1.

Instead, the DFB is now investigating Hoffenheim's doping official Peter Geigle for unsporting behaviour. Geigle faces an oral hearing before the DFB sports court to answer the charges.

If Hoffenheim are found guilty of a breach of anti-doping regulations they face a fine of up to 150,000 euros as well as a points deduction in extreme cases.

Borussia Monchengladbach have lodged an official appeal over the 1-1 draw, which the DFB sports court will also rule on.

The DFB anti-doping commission also decided to introduce a new system in the future to avoid a similar affair, with chaperons to accompany the chosen players from the pitch to the doping test.

The measure was taken because the doctor on hand in Moenchengladbach violated the rules when he did not escort the players from the pitch but waited for them in the doping control room. (dpa)