Puebla sanctioned after unregistered player-coach sits on team bench for Xolos game

The Disciplinary Commission of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) have delivered their verdict after the Puebla vs Tijuana game as part of the Apertura 2023. With unregistered veteran Luis Miguel Noriega being on the bench for ‘La Franja’ and veteran central player, who also assists with coaching tasks at the club not being registered, the result of game which Puebla originally won 3-0 has been amended with Xolos handed a 1-0 victory.

THE FMF commission stated: “Once the study of the evidence provided and collected has been conducted, as well as the analysis of what was stated by the representatives of Club Puebla FC and the match officials, within the due process in which it was first notified to the club, the parties involved were heard and the right of reply was respected (which expired last Monday, 11 September), the conclusion is:

“The technical assistant, Luis Miguel Noriega Orozco, participated in the match corresponding to Matchday 7, since he was present on the bench as part of the coaching staff, without being registered on the official lineup sheet.

“Club Puebla FC is considered guilty of violating article 44, paragraph a) of the Sanctions Regulations and article 49, paragraph 49.1 of the Competition Regulations of the MX League, by virtue of having carried out an improper alignment during the match played against Club Tijuana, corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2023 Apertura Tournament.

“As a result of the above, Club Puebla FC is sanctioned with the loss of the match played against Club Tijuana, corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2023 Apertura Tournament, therefore, the result of said match is modified, and must remain 1 -0 in favor of Club Tijuana”.

As a result of the points deduction, Puebla slip to 16th place in the overall Liga MX Apertura 2023 standings and face an uphill task to secure a playoff position as we reach the equator of the regular season.