Veron's amazing comeback delayed by 2011 suspension

Juan Sebastian Veron's sensational return to professional football with Estudiantes has been delayed due to a ban that dates all the way back to 2011.

Omnipresent president

Veron, who is also the President of the La Plata-based club, has followed through on his promise to make himself available for the Copa Libertadores this season after fans reached his target of box sales in their new stadium.

Tuesday's meeting with Botafogo was set to bring about the 42-year-old's comeback, but the ex-Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder has been forced to wait after Estudiantes were informed he was due to serve a suspension accrued almost six years ago.

Arsenal ban thwarts comeback

Veron had not served a three-match ban following Estudiantes' Copa Sudamericana elimination at the hands of Arsenal de Sarandí.

The suspension was reduced to one game in 2016 as part of CONMEBOL's centenary celebrations, and the club were informed ahead of their match in Rio – which ended in a 2-1 defeat – that the midfielder would consequently be unavailable.

Comeback scheduled for Barcelona match

However, the positive for Estudiantes supporters is that Veron will be eligible to make his Libertadores comeback at the new Estadio Ciudad de La Plata against Ecuadorian champions Barcelona next month.

Argentine football in general has endured a frustrating couple of months, as financial issues and player strikes delayed the start of the season. In his role as President, Veron will be relieved by the resolution of this mess.