😳 Harsh punishment for Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup

Ander Herrera and Nicolás Figal received four-match suspensions each for their expulsions against Benfica in the first match of Group C.

A severe punishment was handed to two Boca Juniors players in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Nicolás Figal and Ander Figal have received four-match suspensions in the tournament for their expulsions in the 2-2 draw against Benfica in their debut in the competition.

Following the report submitted by Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos, who showed the red card to Herrera and Figal during the match, it was revealed that the world football governing body imposed these harsh sanctions.

Ander Herrera was the first to be sent off. After a penalty was awarded for a foul by Carlos Palacios on Nicolás Otamendi at the end of the first half, the 35-year-old Basque player was expelled for allegedly insulting the referee from the bench (he had already been replaced by Tomás Belmonte).

Meanwhile, Nicolás Figal received a direct red card after a very strong foul on Florentino Luís in the 88th minute of the match, where he hit him with his studs at shin height, and the referee did not hesitate to punish him with a direct expulsion.

On the other hand, Italian forward Andrea Belotti, who also saw the red card after a VAR review for a hit to Ayrton Costa's head, was only sanctioned with two matches.

Miguel Ángel Russo will have to think about how to replace Herrera and Figal for the match this Friday, June 20, against Bayern Munich for the second match of Group C, as well as for the group stage finale against Auckland City (June 24).

Both players could only return to the team in hypothetical semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup, if Boca Juniors reaches that stage in the tournament held in the United States.

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors