According to Argentine sports channel TYC, Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni received an unexpected blow on Friday: he has been suspended for one match by CONMEBOL due to the team’s consecutive late second-half entrances in Copa América fixtures.
This decision means Scaloni will miss Argentina’s final group stage match against Peru this weekend. Former Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón will step in as interim head coach, alongside Walter Samuel and Roberto Ayala to guide the team.
The official communication received by the Argentine Football Association on Friday stated that Scaloni is not only prohibited from coaching on the sidelines against Peru but also faces a fine of $15,000 and loses the right to attend the pre-match press conference. These sanctions stem from Argentina’s overrunning the 15-minute halftime limit by two minutes against Chile, following a similar delay in their opening match against Canada that breached CONMEBOL’s disciplinary regulations.
In the game against Canada, Argentina’s halftime break exceeded 20 minutes, infuriating the opposing manager.
Similarly, Chile’s coach, Martín Lasarte, also received a suspension for the same infringement and will miss his team’s next match.
The series of punishments underscores the strict enforcement of tournament rules. Fortunately for Argentina, they have already qualified for the next round after two matches, so Scaloni’s absence is expected to have a limited impact on the team.
Argentina Coach Scaloni Suspended for Late Second-Half entrances in Consecutive Matches. Author:Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced:https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/argentina-coach-scaloni-suspended-for-late-second-half-entrances-in-consecutive-matches.html