Why Club América could avoid punishment after controversial substitution call vs Pumas

On Sunday, after the first leg of the Clausura 2026 quarterfinal between Club América and Pumas UNAM, Club Universidad Nacional was preparing to file a formal complaint over an alleged improper lineup. However, early indications suggest Las Águilas have the regulations on their side.

Miguel Vázquez goes off... then comes back on

Just around the hour mark, América was set to make a triple substitution, with Alexis Gutiérrez, Miguel Vázquez, and Patricio Salas all expected to come off.

But in the buildup to the changes, Sebastián Cáceres took a blow to the head. The incident forced América to adjust their substitution plan on the fly, reshaping the intended changes. Vázquez had already briefly left the field but then returned, with the injured Uruguayan defender was taken off instead.

According to ESPN, referee Luis Enrique Santander approved the adjustment due to concussion concerns, allowing the switch to proceed with Vázquez remaining in the match alongside Thiago Espinoza, who had originally been due to replace the center-back.

What punishment could América face?

Under the Mexican Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations, specifically Article 52, América could face disqualification if an improper lineup is ultimately proven, even without playing the second leg.

However, any final decision rests with the league’s disciplinary authorities. The Disciplinary Commission and the Appeals Commission will be responsible for reviewing the complaint filed by Club Universidad Nacional and determining whether any rules were actually violated.

For now, the situation remains under review, with the regulatory framework appearing to give América a strong initial defense.

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