GENEVA (AP) — Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo will not have to serve one-game suspensions. world cup Despite being sent off in the final qualifying match.
Friday’s unprecedented decision is part of an amnesty for all but the most severe disciplinary sanctions stemming from World Cup qualifiers instigated by the FIFA Secretariat, a committee made up of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the presidents of continental football bodies.
“A single yellow card or a pending suspension of one or two matches… will not be carried over to the finals,” FIFA said in a statement, adding that it wanted to ensure teams “are able to compete as the strongest team possible on the biggest stage of international men’s football.”
It follows an unprecedented FIFA disciplinary action that ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo would not miss all World Cup matches despite receiving a red card for elbowing an Irish opponent in Portugal’s penultimate qualifier in November.
The remaining two games are Ronaldo suspended for 3 games The one-year trial period was suspended.
Otamendi and Caicedo were both shown red cards. Ecuador beat Argentina 1-0 In September. Otamendi received a direct red card for a foul on an attacker running in front of goal, while Caicedo received a second yellow card for a hard tackle.
The mandatory one-match suspension should also apply to other tournaments after the World Cup.
Argentina begins defense of its World Cup title against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16th.
If selected, Otamendi, 38, will play in his fourth and final World Cup. The Benfica centre-back also featured in the 2010, 2018 and 2022 competitions, playing all seven of Argentina’s games in Qatar.
Ecuador will play Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 14th.
Chelsea midfielder Caicedo, 24, also played in Qatar four years ago.
FIFA’s decision on Friday will also benefit Qatari defender Tarek Salman, who was sent off against the United Arab Emirates in October. The FIFA disciplinary judge imposed a two-match suspension.
Salman, 28, who was a member of the 2022 host nation’s squad, has been cleared to play in the Qatar World Cup opener against Switzerland on June 13 at San Francisco 49ers Stadium.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer And the World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
