
Ex-Man Utd star given four-match ban after fight with security at Club World Cup
Boca Juniors' clash with Benfica turned ugly on Monday as three players were sent off - including former Manchester United star Ander Herrera - who has been banned for four games after fighting with a security guard
Former Manchester United star Ander Herrera has been handed a four-match ban after he was sent off for fighting with a security guard in Boca Juniors' Club World Cup opener against Benfica.
The 2-2 draw on Monday was a tense affair as three players were dismissed in total, with Jorge Figal joining Herrera in receiving an early bath, while Andrea Belotti was sent off for Benfica.
Herrera was given his marching orders just before half-time after attempting to barge his way through to speak to the referee while he was in the middle of a VAR review.
The former Spain international had to be held back by security officials and referee Cesar Arturo Ramos reached for his back pocket and issued the red card after being informed of the player's conduct.
Herrera had already been substituted at the time after hobbling off in the 20th minute due to an injury.
The Argentine club confirmed that Herrera and Figal - who was sent off in the 88th minute for a foul on Florentino Luis - have both been banned for four games, pouring doubt on whether they will appear in the competition again.
However, Boca Juniors said they would appeal against the length of the bans, with Ole reporting that the club have questioned why Belotti was only given a two-match ban for a high boot on Ayrton Costa.
The South American side hope they can at least have Figal back for the knockout stages, should they reach it, if his ban is reduced. As it stands, neither player would be allowed to return until the semi-finals.
Herrera's red card comes as the latest set-back to the 35-year-old midfielder, who spent five seasons at Old Trafford and played 189 times. Since joining Boca earlier this year, he has been plagued by injury issues.
His injury setback against Benfica came just a month after he was forced off against Independiente in the Argentinian league and was left in tears.
It was the last of three injury problems in consecutive games, having suffered a hamstring on his debut in January. He was then unable to continue after being brought on in the next game against Newell's.
Herrera was a popular figure during his time at Manchester United as he helped the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his stint at Old Trafford - after joining from Athletic Bilbao for around £30m. He later joined PSG in 2019, spending two seasons in Paris before returning to boyhood club Athletic Bilbao for another three years.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Nicolas Jackson apologises for sending off against Flamengo
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised for his red card in the 3-1 Club World Cup loss to Flamengo. The 24-year-old was sent off for raking his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton just four minutes after coming on as Enzo Maresca's side collapsed in the second half. 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,' said Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match. 68' You can't script Jackson subbed on… and sent off 4 minutes later 🟥😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red and Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. 65' ABSOLUTE SCENES: Danilo scores and @Flamengo_en complete their comeback under just 3 minutes 😱 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLACHE — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 20, 2025 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes given shock verdict despite Man Utd's worst-ever season
Bruno Fernandes was the only shining light in a dark season for Ruben Amorim's side, one which saw Manchester United finish the campaign down in 15th place Bruno Fernandes has been recognised by his fellow professionals – despite Manchester United's worst-ever Premier League campaign. United skipper Fernandes was the only shining light in a dark season for Ruben Amorim's side, one which saw them finish the campaign down in 15th place. The Red Devils lost 18 of their 38 Premier League games and failed to secure European football for only the second time in 35 years, after losing the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham. Despite such a shocking season, Fernandes has been honoured by his fellow professionals, with the 30-year-old making the six-man shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award. Fernandes is up against Liverpool duo Mo Salah and Alexis MacAllister, as well as Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer. United skipper Fernandes scored eight goals in 36 league appearances last season and 19 in all competitions. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Manchester on August 19. The last time a United player won the accolade was Wayne Rooney in 2010, with Manchester City and England forward Phil Foden the current holder. Fernandes considered leaving United this summer, after being approached by Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal over a move that would have trebled his current £300,000-a-week salary. But after discussing the potential move with his wife, Ana Pinho, Fernandes decided to reject the lucrative proposal and commit his future to United. "The president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask about the possibility of me moving there," said Fernandes. "I had to wait a while to think about the future. As I've always said, I would be willing to do it if United thought it was best to move on. I spoke with the coach, Ruben Amorim, who really tried to talk me out of it. " Manchester United said they didn't want to sell me. They said if I wanted to go I could, but they didn't need the money. From my side, it was a very ambitious proposal, the president was a fantastic person. I never talked about the money, it ended up coming up later, with my agent. "I had to make the decision as a family and understand what I wanted for my future. That was the question my wife asked, what my professional goals would be. At no point did she say yes or no, she always supported me and put my professional side first. "It was an easy move, even at a family level. I had Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo. My children are used to playing with theirs. But I simply want to stay at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, because I still feel capable of that. "I want to continue to be happy and do what I love most. I'm still very passionate about this sport. It's my way of seeing football and I'm happy with my decision."


Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid was premature, says River boss Gallardo
June 20 (Reuters) - Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. "It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. "We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing." Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. "All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do." River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. "We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. "Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty." Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.