Barcelona dressing room not surprised by Real Madrid defender’s ban being reduced

According to journalist Javi Miguel, the Barcelona locker room is not really surprised at the reduction of Nacho’s three-match ban to two. In fact, voices coming from the locker room are saying that “The strange thing would have been if they kept it.”

When the verdict regarding the Real Madrid defender was passed, Barcelona were expected to have a negative reaction, but there have been no unexpected development in the locker room over the incident.

The response from the locker room is a collective voice, with remarks suggesting that it would have been genuinely surprising had the original three-game ban been upheld.

It was only a few days ago that it was reported that Real Madrid defender Nacho would be unavailable for the El Clasico as the Los Blancos continue to be pessimistic about the appeal they made to overturn the defender’s three-game ban.

As it turns out, however, it has emerged that the veteran defender will, in fact, take the field against Barcelona after the Appeals Committee accepted Real Madrid’s application to reduce Nacho’s three-game ban to two.

“Partially uphold the appeal made by Real Madrid CF against the resolution of the RFEF Disciplinary Committee, dated October 3, 2023, confirming the existence of a violation of article 122 of the RFEF CD, but reducing the sanction imposed on D José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias to TWO PARTS, with an accessory fine of €700 to the club and €600 to the offender, in the application of article 52 CD,” read the official statement from RFEF.

Not entirely fair for Barcelona

Following the defender’s straight red against Girona, Nacho was suspended for three games. The player had already served one of his three suspensions against Osasuna, with the second coming against Sevilla. In an ideal scenario, he would have also missed the Barcelona fixture, but not anymore. 

Now, this decision serves as a stark example of a comparative offence, reminiscent of a previous incident involving Robert Lewandowski against Osasuna last season. 

In that instance, the Polish striker, having already received a yellow card earlier in the match, was shown a second yellow and consequently a red card for a subsequent foul.

Notably, Lewandowski accepted the decision and, upon exiting the field, subtly gestured toward his nose, seemingly expressing disdain for the referee’s judgment. 

This action led to a one-match suspension for the red card and an additional two-match ban for purportedly contentious protests. Barcelona attempted to appeal the sanctions, but their efforts were in vain.

What happened with Nacho?

In contrast to Lewandowski’s case, Nacho received a direct red card for a dangerous tackle against Girona. Such was the magnitude of the incident that he had to apologise publicity for his action.

Although the league initially imposed a three-game suspension, Real Madrid believed it was excessive and appealed the decision. 

Surprisingly, the Appeals board sided with the club, reducing the suspension by one game, now requiring the player to sit out for just two matches.