Dani Carvajal could be hit with a heavy sanction from UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee following his dismissal in Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Olympique de Marseille, which they won 2-1.
The right-back was shown a red card in the 70th minute after he was seen headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Initially, referee Irfan Peljto had not taken action, but after consultation with VAR and reviewing the footage, he opted to send off the Real Madrid captain, who was not part of the starting lineup but came on very early after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Carvajal’s punishment for the red card offense against Marseille could earn him a suspension that could last as long as three games.
Everything now depends on how the referee has recorded the incident in his match report. Under Article 15 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations, which covers “misconduct of players or coaches,” the consequences could vary:
If deemed serious unsporting behaviour (Article 15, point d), Carvajal would face two matches or a suspension for a fixed period.
In case it is classified as an act of aggression (Article 15, point e), the ban rises to a minimum of three games, or longer if UEFA considers the headbutt particularly violent.
Given the footage, the more severe interpretation appears likely, leaving Carvajal at risk of missing at least three fixtures.
If the three-match ban is confirmed, Carvajal would not return until the fifth group-stage match against Manchester City on 10 December at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In the meantime, he would be ruled out of three key fixtures: Kairat Almaty (away), Juventus (home), and Liverpool (away).
In the best-case scenario of a two-match ban, he could return earlier, but as it stands Real Madrid could be without their captain for close to two months in Europe’s elite competition.