Kieran Trippier’s ban has been suspended, pending an appeal.
The England international previously admitted to the betting offences. As a result, he received a 10-week ban and a £70,000 fine.
Atletico are unhappy with the length of the suspension, which they suggest is affecting the club more than the player.
Kieran Trippier’s Ban Suspended as Atletico Appeals Betting Punishment
Trippier’s Ban to Be Appealed
Fifa made the following statement regarding Kieran Trippier’s ban:
“Following the appeal and, specifically, the request for provisional measures lodged by the club Atletico Madrid, the Fifa Appeal Committee has approved to stay the extension of the suspension until the procedure is over before the committee,” said a Fifa spokesperson.
What this means for Atletico is that their right-back can return to competitive action, for now.
He misses the Alaves match due to his suspension; the player had not trained during the week.
If he returns to training on Monday he could be in contention to start in midweek. Los Colchoneros have a Copa del Rey away at UD Cornella.
Meanwhile, the club are just one point off La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
But Atletico crucially have two games in hand which they’ll be desperate to capitalise on.
Their upcoming matches include ninth place Athletic Bilbao and fifth-place Sevilla. Trippier could feature in these matches if he is match fit.
A ten-week ban would have sidelined Trippier until the 28th of February.
Atletico’s Argument
Atletico CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin expressed his discontent at the ban.
He found that the ban unnecessarily punished Atletico. His argument is that Trippier will be punished by the FA enough, missing the European encounter against Chelsea.
“Personally, I think it’s a suspension that is disproportionate for the player and totally unjust for Atlético,” he said.
“How can it be possible that the party that is most negatively affected by this is Atlético, which hasn’t played any part in the process? If the player has committed an infraction that does not have any effect on the competition, how can it be Atlético is the one punished by this?
“The fact that the FA has punished the player by preventing him from playing against Chelsea, and that the ban just happens to finish just as the England national team is scheduled to play a competitive game, makes you think all sorts of things about the integrity of the competition and the ethics of a football association with a long history.”
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