The Argentina Football Association has acted after Estudiantes refused to give Rosario Central a guard of honour over a controversial rule change that made them champions
Juan Sebastian Veron President of Estudiantes
Juan Sebastian Veron has borne the brunt of the punishment(Image: Gustavo Garello/Getty Images)
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Juan Sebastian Veron has been banned for six months from all football activities following a major scandal in Argentinian football. Veron is club president of Estudiantes, who refused to give a guard of honour to Rosario Central after they were controversially declared champions.
The Argentina Football Association decided to change the rules mid-season which benefited Rosario, who won their first title since 1987. The change sparked a huge backlash in Argentina, with rival clubs furious that the goal posts had been moved.
Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Veron allegedly decided to order the Estudiantes players to protest against the decision. Estudiantes refused to give a guard of honour before their recent match, with the players turning their backs as the opponents walked onto the pitch.
It came before their Clausura last-16 knockout match on Sunday, which Estudiantes won 1-0. The action caused a stir in Argentinian football and has now landed Veron and his players in hot water.
The AFA’s disciplinary tribunal found that the 50-year-old was responsible for creating “an attitude of open disapproval” which constituted “a form of symbolic violence and an affront to the values of respect and sportsmanship”.
He has been given "a six-month suspension from all football-related activities", while the players who "engaged in the reprehensible conduct" have each been suspended for two games, while captain Santiago Nunez has also been banned from wearing the armband for three months.
Estudiantes’ players will serve their suspensions in the next tournament and at different times so it "does not affect the integrity of the current competition". It means they can feature in the Clausura quarter-final against Central Cordoba on Saturday.
Estudiantes turned their backs during a guard of honour for Rosario
Estudiantes turned their backs during a guard of honour for Rosario
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The controversy stems from the AFA’s call to change things around. Previously, the team with the highest points total only earned a place in the Copa Libertadores. But this time Rosario were declared champions after accruing a combined 66 points in the Apertura (opening) and Clausura (closing), the two tournaments that comprise the Primera Division. That was four more than the next best side, Boca Juniors.
Bizarrely, it means that, despite being crowned champions, Rosario’s season has now come to an end following their 1-0 loss to Estudiantes. The season is continuing, though, with Estudiantes still in the Clausura knock-out stages.
Whichever side wins the Clausura will face Apertura champions Platense in the end-of-year Champions Trophy, which previously crowned the champions of Argentina.
Estudiantes said in a statement they are “analysing the sanction received in detail, in order to take the appropriate measures to defend the interests of the institution and its members. In this context, the board of directors expresses its full support for its president Juan Sebastian Veron, Santiago Nunez and the entire professional squad.”
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