Veron Suspended for Six Months Over Protest Against League Changes

Estudiantes’ president, Juan Sebastian Veron, has received a six-month ban from the Argentina Football Association following his refusal to participate in a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions, Rosario Central.

Veron, a former midfielder for Manchester United and Chelsea, along with his Estudiantes players, voiced their objections to Rosario being designated as ‘League Champion.’ This designation stems from a recent rule change implemented by the Argentina FA.

Rosario, featuring Angel di Maria, concluded the regular season with a noteworthy total of 66 points across both the Apertura and Clausura tournaments, surpassing Boca Juniors by four points.

Historically, under prior regulations, the team achieving the highest combined points would earn only a spot in the prestigious Copa Libertadores. The Argentine top division is organized into two segments: the Apertura tournament, which concludes in June, and the Clausura tournament, set to finish next month.

Both tournaments consist of a league phase featuring 16 games each, followed by a knockout phase, with Platense triumphing in the Apertura.

Estudiantes articulated their protest before their Clausura knockout match against Rosario, which they ultimately won 1-0.

As a result of the infractions, Veron has been handed a six-month suspension from all football-related activities. Furthermore, players who participated in what was deemed ‘reprehensible conduct’ will face a two-match suspension at the beginning of the next season.

Estudiantes is scheduled to compete against Central Cordoba in the Clausura quarter-finals this Saturday. The champions of the Apertura, Platense, will face the Clausura champions—determined through playoffs—in the end-of-year Champions Trophy.