Real Madrid handed El Clasico boost after defender's suspension is reduced
- Nacho was shown a straight red card in 3-0 win over Girona
- Real Madrid appealed his three-game suspension
- Carlo Ancelotti's side face Barcelona on October 28
By Tom Gott
The Spanish Football Federation have confirmed that Nacho Fernandez is clear to play in El Clasico later this month after accepting Real Madrid's appeal of his suspension.
Nacho was shown a straight red card in the dying embers of the 3-0 win over Girona when he felled winger Portu, and was issued with a three-game suspension as a result.
Madrid did not appeal the red card but questioned the severity of the punishment, insisting the incident did not deserve the maximum punishment of three games on the sidelines, and the Spanish authorities have agreed.
"The Competition Committee decided to reduce Nacho's sanction from three to two matches for his tackle on Girona's Portu on matchday 8 of La Liga," a statement read.
"This comes after Real Madrid filed an appeal stating that Nacho could not be punished with three matches (maximum) as it occurred at the end of the match against Girona and that it did not result in a 'verifiable' injury to Portu.
"The Competition Committee has decided to accept the appeal and Nacho will be able to play in El Clasico, the Madrid-Barcelona game, because he has already served one match against Osasuna and will serve the other one in Sevilla."
Nacho's suspension, coupled with injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba, left Antonio Rudiger as the only senior centre-back against Osasuna before the international break, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to deploy midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in defence instead.
Alaba was sent home from international duty to focus on his recovery and is now expected to be fit enough to face Sevilla.
Nacho will then return for El Clasico against Barcelona. The versatile defender is not a guaranteed starter under Ancelotti but has provided reliable cover across the backline and may help ease the load on Alaba as he nears his return to full fitness.
Militao remains a long-term absentee alongside goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who both suffered ACL injuries, while third-choice stopper Andriy Lunin is also dealing with a back problem.
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