UPDATE below on how the RFEF has dealt with the incidents from the Supercopa…
So it wasn’t a dream… Nuri Sahin joined his teammates for Monday’s training session, as did Sami Khedira, who has recovered from his flu. That left Esteban Granero and Hamit Altintop (I’m still not entirely convinced he exists) in the sick bay, along with new addition Álvaro Arbeloa, who’s been diagnosed with traumatic synovitis in his right knee. So all in all, 25 footballers trained, 19 from the first team plus six from Castilla: Tomás Mejías, Merchán, Mendes, Álex, Nacho and MFC ABMM. The Fernández brothers, who had played all 90 minutes on Sunday with Castilla, had a light recovery session while the others stepped up the intensity. The last training session before Wednesday’s Trofeo Bernabéu game (where Nuri Sahin and Rafa Varane are expected to make their debuts before the home crowd) will be today at 17h.
At yesterday’s session, Iker seemed to be telling the photographers, “now that I’ve done your pose, will you leave me alone?” Meanwhile, it looks like Mou is not too happy with only having “The Mou Corner” and is making his case for “The José Mourinho pose section.”
Sergio must have spent all his energy making his hair look perfect and then posing, because he got a ride from Kaká onto the field. Given Kaká’s rather fragile state, I’m not sure that was the best idea.
Marcelo Sunshine was in a sunny mood, as was Pepe. Marcelo Sunshine should have aimed some rays at the canteranos, as they for the most part (thank you Álex!) had some very long faces. Still, it’s better than a thumbs-up pose.
Prior to the session, Álvaro Arbeloa and Antonio Adán were at the El Corte Inglés department store on Preciados to present the boots that they’re going to wear for this upcoming season.
Look who joined her proud papá! The adorable Alba! I wonder if she’s exhibited any signs of proclivity towards football yet?
And in Castilla news, signing José Antonio Ríos will be out two to three months for an injury to his hand that will require surgery. Here’s to a fast recovery!
UPDATE:
The RFEF has announced that after examining images from the game, it will open a dossier on José Mourinho and Tito Vilanova for a serious and petty infraction, respectively, for their actions in the Supercopa second leg game. The sole judge in charge of this case will make a decision.
In the case of Mou, he will decide if he’s committed an infraction along the lines of Article 98 of the Disciplinary Code, which refers to aggressions against another without causing injury while play is stopped or at a distance from the play. This could be sanctioned with a suspension of four to 12 games. If the injury caused to the victim results in his having to miss work, the suspension could be six to 15 games. The judge will also consider Article 100, which states that serious behavior against good sporting order can result in a suspension of four to 10 games or a fine of 602 to 3,006 euros.
In the case of Vilanova, the judge referred to articles 111 and 122, which speak about how a petty offense against good sporting order can lead to a suspension of up to four games and a fine of up to 602 euros.
Meanwhile, the Competition Committee has decided to suspend for one game each David Villa, Marcelo and Mesut Özil. Marcelo’s suspension results from his red card, while Article 116 was applied to Villa and Mesut: “insults, threats and provocations: insulting, offending, threatening or provoking another, as long as it isn’t a more serious offense, will be sanctioned with a suspension of one to three games or for a period of up to one month.”
They also upheld the cards given in the first leg to Xabi Alonso and Dani Alves for dangerous play; Coentrão for giving the referee his point of view; and Sami Khedira and Alexis for breaking the rules of play. As for the second leg game, they upheld the cards of Xavi, Pepe, Khedira, Sergio and Coentrão for dangerous play; Víctor Valdés for deliberately wasting time; and Javier Mascherano and Cristiano for arguing with a rival but without insulting or threatening.