What punishment could Real Madrid’s Valverde face over alleged Baena punch?

Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde may well avoid punishment from Spain’s soccer authorities over his alleged assault on Villarreal’s Álex Baena.

Valverde alleged to have punched Baena post-match

According to several Villarreal sources, Valverde punched Baena in the face after Saturday’s LaLiga clash between Madrid and Los Groguets at the Bernabéu, as the visiting team’s players were boarding their team bus. Per the Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Valverde claims that Baena had made offensive remarks about the Uruguayan’s son both during and after the game.

As the alleged incident took place away from the field of play and outside of the view of the match officials, it does not appear in referee Javier Alberola Rojas’ report of the match, which Villarreal won 3-2.

Villarreal, Baena minded not to report Valverde

AS understands that, as things stand, neither Villarreal nor Baena intend to report Valverde to the Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee, which is responsible for deciding on player punishments. The Competition Committee cannot launch an investigation unless it receives a complaint against the Madrid player.

How long could Valverde be banned for if probed?

Were the body to be brought into play, it could hand Valverde a ban ranging from two to 12 games, depending on which article of Spanish soccer’s disciplinary code it chose to base its ruling on.

Cádiz defender Iza Carcelén was recently suspended for three matches over an altercation in the tunnel, with the Competition Committee applying article 130 of the disciplinary code. It reads: “If a violent action takes place away from the play, with the match stopped or no possibility of challenging for the ball, the player will be suspended for two to three matches.”

The authority could also turn to article 103, although this appears less likely, as it is only understand to apply to in-game incidents. “Attacking another player, without causing injury […] while the match is stopped or at such a distance from the ball that it cannot represent an intervention in the play, will be penalised with a suspension of four to 12 games.”

Antio-violence commission could act against Valverde

If Villarreal and Baena opt against reporting Valverde to the Competition Committee, the Madrid midfielder may not yet be in the clear.

Having taken statements from the implicated parties, Spanish police could turn the incident over to the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport. This body, which belongs to Spain’s National Sports Council, could either propose a punishment for Valverde, or ask the Competition Committee to investigate.