😱 AFA bans Estudiantes players and president after protest

The protest staged by Estudiantes before kickoff against Rosario Central had consequences this Thursday (27).

Following a decision by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), led by Chiqui Tapia, the 11 starters from the La Plata team who turned their backs during the “pasillo” for Di María’s team were punished. 

All received six-match suspensions—which will be served starting from the next tournament. And captain Santiago Núñez will not be allowed to perform that role on the field for six months.

Meanwhile, former midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón, who is the president of Estudiantes, was handed a six-month ban from sports-related functions. 

Verón is a fierce critic of Chiqui Tapia’s administration.

Estudiantes’ action was a response to the AFA’s decision to “create” a trophy after Rosario Central had the best record when combining the qualifying phases of the Apertura and Clausura.

Di María’s team celebrated—off the field—the “League Champion” trophy, which sparked heavy criticism against Tapia’s AFA. 

After the protest, Estudiantes went on to eliminate Rosario in the round of 16 of the Clausura by winning 1-0 at the Gigante de Arroyito. 

They will face Central de Córdoba on Saturday (29), also in a single-match tie.

The other matchups are: Boca Juniors vs. Argentinos Juniors (11/30), Barracas Central vs. Gimnasia La Plata, and Racing vs. Tigre—both on December 1.

Photo: Reproduction/ESPN 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.