Sanctions for Boca Juniors and Benfica Players in the Club World Cup
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed severe sanctions on key players after the group stage of the Club World Cup. Ander Herrera and Nicolás Figal, both Boca Juniors players, have been suspended for four matches.
These suspensions are the result of the red cards received during the match against Benfica.
For his part, Benfica player Andrea Belotti was also suspended for two matches due to the red card he received in the final minutes of the match.
The FIFA cited a violation of article 14, paragraphs 1 b) and j) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as the reason for the suspensions.
This refers to “unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent or a person who is not a game official” and “unsportsmanlike conduct towards a game official”.
The suspensions for Herrera and Figal mean that Boca Juniors will have to reach the semifinals of the tournament for both players to be able to participate again.Herrera was sent off from the bench after reacting angrily and trying to enter the field to confront referee César Ramos. Belotti received a red card in the 72nd minute for a tackle, while Figal was sent off for a tackle on Florentino Luís of Benfica.
FIFA issued a statement informing that “all parties have the right to request the grounds and appeal the decision”.
Boca Juniors will face Bayern Munich on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium in their second group stage match. Meanwhile, Benfica will face Auckland City in Orlando.
