Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara could face expulsion from the Copa America after authorities opened disciplinary proceedings against the player on Saturday for attempting to shove a finger into Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani’s backside.
Jara triggered a wave of revulsion after images captured his lurid assault on Cavani moments before the Uruguay striker was sent off for retaliation during a stormy quarter-final last Wednesday.
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A statement from South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL confirmed Saturday that a case had now been opened against Jara following allegations made by Uruguay as they argued against sanction for Cavani.
“The CONMEBOL Disciplinary Unit has initiated disciplinary proceedings after the complaint by the Uruguayan Football Association against Gonzalo Jara of Chile’s national team,” a statement said.
The statement added disciplinary chiefs expected to issue a ruling on Jara’s fate before Monday’s semi-final showdown with Peru.
Sources said 29-year-old Jara, who plays for German side Mainz, could face a five-match ban for the incident.
CONMEBOL meanwhile confirmed it had received a complaint from the Chile Football Federation regarding the conduct of Uruguay’s players in the match. Uruguay finished the game with nine men.
“This complaint will be examined once the 2015 Copa America has finished, as the national team of Uruguay has been eliminated and any disciplinary action that may be imposed, if any, would not impact the ongoing competition,” the statement said.
By AFP