How long could Real Madrid’s Valverde be suspended for over alleged Baena punch?

Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde could be facing a five-game domestic ban for allegedly punching Villarreal’s Álex Baena after a LaLiga match earlier this year.

If the Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee opts to hand the Uruguayan such a suspension, he would have to sit out the first six weeks of the new Spanish league season.

Valvere and Baena clash after LaLiga match

Valverde is believed to have assaulted Baena in an off-the-field incident following Villarreal’s 3-2 league win at the Bernabéu in April.

Valverde has claimed that his opponent made insulting remarks to him over problems that his partner, Mina Bonino, suffered with her pregnancy while she was expecting the couple’s second child.

Baena, however, has insisted that such accusations are “totally untrue”.

Competition Committee left with suspension decision

An investigation was carried out by Spain’s State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, which took statements from both players.

As Baena filed a police report over the alleged assault, the body also referred to information gathered by law enforcement.

The anti-violence commission has now left it up to the Competition Committee to rule on a sporting punishment for Valverde.

No Valverde until end of September?

The 2023/24 LaLiga campaign, which is set to begin on Friday 11 August, sees Madrid face Athletic Club, Almería, Celta Vigo, Getafe and Real Sociedad in their first five games.

A five-match ban would leave Valverde unavailable for top-flight duty until Madrid’s Spanish-capital derby with Atlético Madrid, which is to be played on the weekend of 23/24 September.