“The photos provided by the club allow us to distort the referee’s account”

The Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation upheld the allegations presented by Athletic following Yuri’s first yellow card on Friday in San Mamés against Cádiz. The left-back ended up being sent off from that match because after the break he saw a second card, with the corresponding red. Despite the fact that the Bilbao club’s defense has improved with its player, he will be sent off on Saturday at the Mestalla due to a penalty for accumulating cards (five including the second of the clash against the Cadiz side).

The competition included in its note that “according to the arbitration report, the player was cautioned in the 30th minute for recklessly knocking down an opponent in a dispute for the ball.” Athletic, however, maintained in its allegations that “the presence of an obvious material error”, maintained that “their player did not knock down the rival player”, something that was very clear from the television images, because it was Fali, the defender of Si Cádiz, who hit Yuri’s leg before falling; and denied “in other words, the reckless demolition referred to in the act.”

Competition judging is clear and strong. “Leave now the recklessness of the action, which is up to the referee to appreciate, the fact is that the images provided prove, in the opinion of this disciplinary body, the version of the club.” The statement from said Committee also emphasizes that “the fact is that the photos provided by the club allow us to distort the referee’s account and, in particular, the non-existence of the demolition recorded in the minutes.”

Both Yuri’s first card against Cádiz and the red after the second warning will, therefore, have no disciplinary effect, although the lion will not be able to play against Valencia by adding a total of five yellow cards.