Valdivia To Miss Rest of Season Through Suspension

Jorge Valdivia will miss the remaining three games of the Brazilian League season, along with the first game of next season, after receiving a further four match ban for his behaviour during Palmeiras' 2-2 draw with Vasco da Gama on the 29th October.

Valdivia got involved in an altercation with Vasco players Tiaguinho and Alan Kardec during that match and his actions have been deemed violent enough to warrant an extra four game ban.

The news comes at the worst time for Palmeiras, as they attempt to qualify for the Copa Libertadores through a top four league finish. They currently lie in sixth place, level on points with Fluminense in fourth and the absence of Valdivia in their remaining games will be a big blow to their chances of obtaining the finish they require.

Lawyers from Palmeiras are likely to appeal against the decision either today or Friday in an attempt to a least get the ban reduced, allowing Valdivia to at least play some part in the club's remaining games.

Chile ban six players

Chile have banned six players, including captain Jorge Valdivia, for twenty games after a breach of internal discipline before their Copa America quarter final against Brazil.

Valdivia, along with Alvaro Ormeno, Rodrigo Tello, Jorge Vargas, Pablo Contreras and Reinaldo Navia, will now effectively miss the entirity of the qualifying campaign for the next World Cup, and have also all been banned for ever captaining the national side.

Chile coach Nelson Acosta resigned following the 6-1 loss to Brazil, leaving Chile facing the unenviable task of both finding a new coach and bedding some new players into the squad before the South American World Cup qualifiers begin in September.