Cavani handed Uruguay ban

28 July 2015 11:31

Edinson Cavani has been suspended for Uruguay's next two World Cup qualifiers for his part in a confrontation with Chile's Gonzalo Jara at the Copa America.

The controversy arose during the teams' quarter-final clash, when Cavani responded to provocation from Jara by pushing his hand into the former West Brom player's face to earn a second yellow card.

Jara was later banned for three matches after video evidence showed him poking a finger up the Paris St Germain striker's backside. His club, Mainz, responded by placing him on the transfer list.

In a bad-tempered match, the later dismissal of Jorge Fucile sparked a benches-clearing brawl which saw Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez sent to the stands and both he and his assistant Mario Rebollo have been handed three-match touchline bans.

All three will miss the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia on October 8 and 12, with the coaching duo also missing November's clash with Ecuador.

A statement from South American governing body CONMEBOL read: "CONMEBOL has communicated to the Uruguayan Football Association the decisions of the disciplinary tribunal with regard to the dismissals during the Copa America quarter-finals between Chile and Uruguay.

"Oscar Tabarez and Mario Rebollo have been suspended for three official matches. They will not be able to access the dressing room, tunnel or technical area, nor have any communication with their team before or during the match.

"Edinson Cavani was suspended for two official matches (Bolivia and Colombia) in qualification for Russia 2018."

Source: PA