Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal under investigation by Uefa after intentional booking against APOEL
KEY POINTS
- Spaniard appeared to pick up an intentional yellow card during the Champions League clash.
- If found guilty, the right-back could be banned the first leg of the last 16.
Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal is under investigation by Uefa for appearing to pick up an intentional yellow card during Los Blancos's 6-0 victory over APOEL FC on Tuesday night (22 November).
The Spanish international right-back was booked by referee Artur Dias in the 90th minute of the game for wasting time.
Carvajal was only one booking away from a ban before the match so his yellow card means that he will miss the final group game against Borussia Dortmund through suspension.
Tottenham Hotspur have won the Group H but Real have also already guaranteed themselves a place in the last 16 with the victory over the Cypriot champions.
This way Carvajal will be suspended for the meaningless final clash with Dortmund but would start the Champions League knock-out round with a clean disciplinary slate.
However, the Real defender faces a further punishment with Uefa having opened an investigation to see whether Carvajal violated Article 15 of its disciplinary regulations.
Official Uefa Statement
"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Champions League group stage match between APOEL FC and Real Madrid CF (0-6), played on 21 November in Cyprus," Uefa confirmed through an official statement.
Charges against Real Madrid CF player Dani Carvajal:
- receiving a yellow card on purpose - Article 15 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations
The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 7 December."
Article 15 states that players could be handed a "suspension for two competitive matches or a specified period for clearly receiving a yellow or red card on purpose".
If found guilty, Carvajal could miss the first leg of the Champions League last 16 which will see Real facing a group winner after finishing behind Tottenham in the Group H.
In 2010, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso were both handed a ban after being found guilty of deliberately incur second bookings during a Champions League clash against Ajax.
However, Marca reports that Real are confident that Carvajal will escape a ban after pointing out that in February 2016 Uefa decided not to take action against Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique for a similar action during a Champions League clash with Arsenal.
A potential ban for Carvajal would be a major blow for Zidane ahead of the last 16 of the competition with the key defender having only returned to action last week following a long-term spell on the sidelines due to a heart infection.
