Herrera Receives Four-Match Ban for VAR Interference at Club World Cup
Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera has been hit with a four-match suspension following his red card in the Club World Cup match between Boca Juniors and Benfica. The disciplinary decision came after Herrera was found guilty of attempting to intimidate the referee during a VAR review.
The incident occurred when tensions rose during the heated encounter, prompting Herrera to interfere aggressively with officiating procedures. Security personnel were forced to step in and calm the situation before it escalated further.
The tournament’s disciplinary committee reviewed the incident and described Herrera’s actions as “unsportsmanlike conduct and interference with officiating procedures.” As a result, he will now miss four consecutive competitive matches—posing a significant setback for his club’s campaign.
This suspension puts additional pressure on Boca Juniors, who are already facing a tough road ahead in the tournament. Losing a key player like Herrera at this critical stage is expected to affect team morale and tactical balance.
Herrera’s punishment highlights the strict stance FIFA and tournament officials are taking against misconduct and disruptions to the video review system. The use of VAR has become an essential part of modern football, and any attempt to influence its outcomes is being treated with zero tolerance.
Neither Herrera nor Boca Juniors have issued an official statement in response to the ban at the time of this report.
