November 23 – The phrase “cheats never prosper” doesn’t always apply to footballers but Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is facing an additional two-match Champions League ban after appearing to deliberately get himself booked in Wednesday’s 6-0 win at Apoel Nicosia.
Carjaval is to be investigated by UEFA for “receiving a yellow card on purpose” whilst delaying a throw-in in stoppage time. He took over 20 seconds to restart play before the referee brandished a yellow card.
That has brought an automatic one-match ban to be served in the final group game against Borussia Dortmund – a dead rubber with Real already qualified for the last 16 and the Germans out of contention.
In theory that means Carvajal will start with a clean slate when the knockout phase gets under way but if found guilty of deliberate manipulation, he could receive an additional two-game ban and miss Real’s last 16 tie, with a decision to be made by a UEFA disciplinary panel on December 7.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714079043labto1714079043ofdlr1714079043owedi1714079043sni@w1714079043ashra1714079043w.wer1714079043dna1714079043