Valverde Receives One-Match Ban

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has been handed a one-match suspension and will miss the club's next La Liga fixture. The Uruguayan received a direct red card in the 77th minute of the derby against Atlético Madrid (3-2) for fouling Alex Baena. The Technical Referees Committee upheld referee José Munuera Montero's decision during the match. The Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation has sanctioned Valverde for one game. The player escaped with a minimal punishment, despite the referee's report stating he sent Valverde off for unjustified aggression and no attempt to play the ball, which could have led to a much more severe sanction. The midfielder will miss Real Madrid's next La Liga match on April 4 against Mallorca.