Athletic Club Prepares for Quarter-Final Amid Player Suspension

Athletic Club is taking a break this Wednesday after their hard-fought victory against Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, which ended with a score of 3-4. The team, coached by Ziganda, took the lead three times during the match. The decisive moment came in extra time when Unai Gómez scored from a penalty after Athletic played for an hour with ten men due to the expulsion of Paredes. The central defender will serve a two-match suspension, which will be enforced in the Copa del Rey.

Paredes received a red card for insulting one of the assistant referees, calling him a “coward.” The referee did not hesitate to issue the red card, and Valverde reproached the player for his outburst given the implications it carries. Following the match, Paredes apologized to his teammates, marking the first confirmed absence for the quarter-final match scheduled for the first week of February. The matchups for this round will be announced on January 19. The RFEF’s disciplinary code clearly stipulates a punishment that falls under Articles 117 and 120, both of which mandate a minimum suspension of two matches for such infractions.

Article 117 addresses acts of contempt or disrespect towards referees, officials, or sports authorities, stating that “addressing referees or officials in a manner that demonstrates contempt or disrespect, unless it constitutes a more serious offense, will result in a suspension of two to three matches or a ban for up to one month.” Article 120 specifies that protests directed at the main referee, assistant referees, or the fourth official, provided they do not constitute a more serious offense, will similarly incur a suspension of two to three matches or a ban of up to one month.

In the quarter-final round, which will be a single-match format, Valverde will have Laporte available, with hopes of having him back in time for one of the Champions League matches this January against Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon. However, Yeray will not yet be available in February, although he may begin training with the team during the knockout stage. His UEFA suspension will remain in effect until April 2.