Real Sociedad launch appeal against Brais Méndez's two-match ban
La Real contest the midfielder's red card suspension following controversial dismissal in the Basque derby against Athletic Club at San Mamés.
Real Sociedad are fighting to overturn Brais Méndez’s two-match suspension after the midfielder saw red in Sunday’s heated Basque derby at San Mamés.
Controversial dismissal
The Galician midfielder was given his marching orders following an incident with Athletic Club’s Aitor Paredes, where he was judged to have struck the defender in the face. The contact appeared minimal at best, but referee Cuadra Fernández, acting on advice from his assistant who spotted the altercation, brandished a straight red card.
According to the referee’s match report, Méndez was dismissed for “violent conduct by hitting an opponent in the face with excessive force while the ball was not in play” - a description that has raised eyebrows at the txuriurdin club.
Significant absences
If the ban stands, Méndez would miss two crucial fixtures:
- This Saturday’s home match against Real Betis at Anoeta
- The February 14th trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid
Losing a player of Méndez’s calibre for these fixtures would be a proper kick in the teeth for Imanol Alguacil’s side, who are battling to maintain their European ambitions this season.
Support from pundits
Interestingly, La Real’s position has found support among Spanish football’s punditry. National radio analysts reviewing the derby broadly agreed that the red card decision was harsh, particularly given that the incident appeared to follow provocation from Paredes and his teammate Jauregizar.
The Disciplinary Committee’s initial ruling has now been challenged, with Real Sociedad submitting their formal appeal in hopes of having their midfielder available for at least one of the upcoming fixtures.
The club will now anxiously await the verdict from the Appeals Committee, with time running short before Saturday’s clash against Betis.