FIFA Reject Gavi Appeal, Barcelona Star Set to Miss Spain’s Clash with England

According to Mundo Deportivo, FIFA has rejected an appeal from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), meaning Barcelona midfielder Gavi could miss Spain’s Nations League group-stage opener away to England on September 27 after being handed a one-match suspension.

The RFEF had been concerned about the one-match ban imposed on Gavi by FIFA in connection with the disturbances surrounding the World Cup final. Luis de la Fuente is expected to announce his first squad for the Nations League group stage this Friday. If Gavi is selected, however, the Spain head coach will not be able to use him after FIFA rejected the federation’s request to have the suspension suspended for one year.

This means that even if the Barcelona midfielder is included in what could be a larger-than-usual squad due to several matches being played within a two-week period, he will be unavailable for the crucial Nations League opener against England in London on September 27. De la Fuente would then have to wait until Spain’s second match, against Croatia on September 30, to use Gavi.

FIFA announced its disciplinary decisions on August 21 last year following incidents during the World Cup, particularly those that occurred after the final on July 19. Gavi was among the players punished. In addition to a one-match suspension, he was fined €25,692, approximately $30,000.

As previously reported by Mundo Deportivo, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee had already rejected the RFEF’s initial appeal concerning an incident involving Gavi and Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was handed a 10-match suspension. The incident stemmed from a confrontation between the two players following Paredes’ challenge on Eric García.

The RFEF subsequently appealed to FIFA’s Appeal Committee. Since the one-match sporting suspension could not simply be overturned, the Spanish federation requested that the ban be suspended and replaced with a one-year probationary period.

The RFEF also cited the precedent of United States player Folarin Balogun, who was sent off during a World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA had surprisingly suspended his one-match ban for a year.

However, that appeal has now been rejected by FIFA, which has upheld Gavi’s suspension. If the Barcelona midfielder is included in De la Fuente’s squad this Friday, he will therefore miss the highly anticipated Nations League clash between the reigning world champions and England.