According to Mundo Deportivo, FIFA has rejected the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)'s appeal, meaning Barcelona midfielder Gavi will miss Spain's opening UEFA Nations League match against England due to a one-match suspension.
The RFEF had previously appealed FIFA's one-match suspension of Gavi for disturbances during the World Cup final. Luis de la Fuente is expected to announce Spain's squad for the first UEFA Nations League phase later this week. If Gavi is selected, the Spanish coach will not be able to use him, as FIFA has rejected the RFEF's appeal to defer the suspension for one year.
This means that if the Barcelona player is included in the squad for multiple matches over two weeks, he will be unavailable for the opening UEFA Nations League match against England in London . Luis de la Fuente will then have to wait until the second match against Croatia in Spain to use Gavi.
FIFA announced its disciplinary decisions regarding disturbances during the World Cup, particularly those after the July 19 final, on August 21. Gavi was among the sanctioned players, receiving a one-match suspension and a fine of €25,692 (approximately $30,000).
As previously reported, FIFA's disciplinary committee had already rejected the RFEF's first appeal concerning Gavi's altercation with Argentine player Nicolás Paredes (who received a 10-match ban) and the incidents following his foul on Eric García.
Subsequently, the RFEF lodged a second appeal with FIFA's Appeal Committee. Since a single-match suspension cannot be directly overturned, they requested that the suspension be deferred with a one-year probationary period established instead.
The RFEF cited the precedent of American player Sergiño Dest, who received a red card during the World Cup match against Wales, and whose one-match suspension FIFA deferred for one year.
However, FIFA has now rejected this appeal and upheld Gavi's suspension. If selected for the squad, Gavi will miss the World Cup winners' opening match against England.
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com