Real Madrid veteran faces a four-match ban after altercation with Arsenal winger | OneFootball

Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal may be facing a suspension after allegedly becoming involved in an incident with Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka during the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against and Arsenal, reports AS.

The match at the Santiago Bernabeu last night ended in Real Madrid’s elimination after they lost 1-2 to the Premier League club, after having been beaten 3-0 in the first leg at the Emirates last week.

What happened?

As for the situation with Carvajal, the confrontation between him and Saka took place during half-time, one of the few heated moments in an otherwise controlled game.

The veteran defender was seen pointing his finger at Saka and grabbing him by the back of the neck in the tunnel area leading to the dressing rooms.

The Spanish full-back was not part of the matchday squad due to a serious injury sustained against Villarreal on 5 October last year. However, that did not prevent him from entering a restricted zone reserved for team staff and players listed for the match.

Four-match ban possible

As a result, Carvajal could be hit with a four-match ban under UEFA disciplinary regulations. Article 15.a.viii states that any player who participates in a match when not eligible can receive a one-game suspension “if such suspension is deemed appropriate”.

A well-known precedent is Xabi Alonso’s one-match ban after running onto the pitch from the stands during the 2014 Champions League final despite being suspended.

Additionally, Carvajal could face further punishment under Article 15.e, which provides for a three-match suspension, or a set period, for “assaulting another player or any other person present at the match.”

However, for UEFA to take disciplinary action, the incident must have been included in the match delegate’s official report. If it has, Carvajal may well be facing a significant suspension ahead of next season’s European campaign.