The Real Madrid defender faced a three-match ban before arriving in Portu, but the final tally ended up being two games.
In stoppage time of the Girona versus Real Madrid clash, Nacho’s hard tackle on Portu drew a red card. The Real Madrid captain issued a public apology on social media for the action. Early in October, the Competition Commission announced the disciplinary decision: a three-match suspension, which would have kept him out of the crucial Clasico with FC Barcelona.
“I want to apologize to Portu for an involuntary moment in the game. Throughout my career I have never intended to injure anyone. I hope you recover quickly and well,” he wrote on his Instagram within hours of the Girona match. He had to be helped off the pitch on a stretcher, and Christian Stuani confronted the Spanish defender, an exchange that could have sparked a bigger incident.
Three days after the incident, the Competition Commission announced the three-match ban, ruling that Nacho would miss the Osasuna match at the Bernabéu, the Sevilla match at the Pizjuán, and the Barcelona match at Montjuïc.
The appeals committee reduces the sanction: Nacho enters the Classic
Real Madrid lodged an appeal, and the sanction was cut to two matches, enabling Nacho to be available for the Clásico on October 28 against Barcelona at Montjuïc. He would not miss Osasuna or Sevilla because of the adjustment, and the club faced a reduced fine as part of the resolution.
The initial ruling described the incident as dangerous play that caused damage to the victim, accompanied by fines for both the club and the player. The revised decision lowered the suspension to two matches and adjusted the financial penalties accordingly.
In the end, Nacho was cleared to participate in the high-stakes Clasico, a pivotal moment for Real Madrid as they prepared to face Barcelona in a capacity that could influence the early-season standings and momentum. The evolving narrative highlighted how disciplinary processes can alter the road to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, shaping team selections and tactical planning in the weeks surrounding a clásico.
This sequence underscored the sensitivity of football’s governing bodies in balancing on-field penalties with the desire to keep key players available for marquee fixtures. The incident and its aftermath also served as a reminder that moments in stoppage time can carry consequences well into the heart of a season, affecting lineup decisions and fan expectations alike. The club, the player, and supporters alike watched closely as the two-match ban allowed Nacho to be part of the Clasico drama that followed, a clash that many considered a defining test of character and resilience for Real Madrid in a domestic title race still taking shape. (Goal)