Two players banned for a year for attacking referees in separate incidents in domestic Mexican games have had their suspensions reduced following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
America defender Pablo Aguilar was originally banned for 10 matches and Toluca forward Enrique Triverio for eight before the Mexican federation’s disciplinary committee increased them both to one year.
However, CAS said on Tuesday that it had ruled that the players should serve the bans originally imposed which were criticised by the Mexican referees’ association at the time as being too lenient.
Paraguayan Aguilar struck referee Fernando Hernandez with his forehead and screamed insults at him after America lost 1-0 to Tijuana in a Copa MX match in March.
Argentina Triverio pushed and insulted referee Miguel Flores in Toluca’s defeat by Morelia in the same competition.
The Mexican referees’ association said the initial punishments were too lenient and went on strike, forcing a round of league fixtures to be called off.
After the bans were extended to one year, it said the decision had “set a precedent so that it is order and respect that prevails on the field of play”.
“The sanctions that had been imposed in the first instance ….were appropriate in light of the misconducts at stake,” CAS said.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.