فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat – November 22, 2025
The Disciplinary Committee of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has decided to suspend Colombian winger Luis Diaz, star of German club Bayern Munich, for three matches in the Champions League, due to his violent tackle on Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain defender, during the match between the two teams on November 4, 2025, which ended with Bayern winning 2-1.
Diaz had received a direct red card before the end of the first half, after a tackle from behind that caused Hakimi to suffer a serious sprain in his left ankle, which will keep the Moroccan player off the field for at least 3 to 6 weeks, according to preliminary medical reports. The incident sparked widespread controversy in European football circles about the need to enhance player protection from dangerous tackles, especially given the intense competition in the Champions League.
UEFA confirmed in its decision that the tackle is classified as “serious violent play,” which requires a stricter penalty than temporary suspension, meaning Diaz will miss three upcoming matches in the group stage of the tournament: Arsenal (November 26), Sporting Lisbon (December 9), and Union Saint-Gilloise (January 21, 2026). If the appeal is rejected, Diaz will not be able to return until the final match against PSV on January 28, 2026.
Bayern Munich’s Response and Appeal Attempts
French newspaper “L’Équipe,” citing German publication “Bild,” reported that Bayern Munich club is striving to appeal the decision, having requested official clarifications from UEFA regarding the basis of the penalty before submitting a full appeal. Coach Vincent Kompany expressed in a press conference before the Bundesliga match against Freiburg his initial belief that the suspension would not exceed one match, reflecting the club’s surprise at the severity of the penalty. It is believed that Bayern is focusing its appeal on the argument that the tackle was not intentional, and that the injury was the result of chance during normal competition.
Impact on Both Teams
For Bayern Munich, the absence of Diaz, who scored two goals in that match, is a strong blow given the fierce competition in the group, especially against English side Arsenal. As for Paris Saint-Germain, the injury to Hakimi – who was recently crowned Best African Player – will affect the right defensive line, forcing coach Luis Enrique to rely on alternatives such as Achraf Hakimi or Nour Akiouf, with risks to the team’s performance in upcoming matches.
This decision indicates UEFA’s strict policy in combating violent play, which has seen increased application in the 2025-2026 season to enhance player safety, amid growing calls from player unions to impose harsher penalties on dangerous tackles.
