Del Horno ban halved
Friday, March 7, 2003
Article summary
Athletic Club Bilbao left-back Asier del Horno has had a four-match suspension halved on appeal.
Article body
Del Horno provoked
Del Horno was originally banned on Tuesday for four games by the Spanish Football Federation's new disciplinary committee for punching RC Recreativo de Huelva defender Loren in the stomach during last Saturday's 3-2 Primera División defeat. However, the appeals committee have reduced that ban to two games after accepting Del Horno had been provoked by the Recreativo player.
'Disproportionate' ban
While "condemning indiscipline on the pitch", Athletic coach Jupp Heynckes yesterday called the ban "exaggerated and disproportionate". He continued: "We are not being treated the same as other clubs, bearing in mind what has been happening on other football pitches recently." Del Horno will miss the league matches against Málaga CF and Valencia CF.
