Cristian Romero wastes international break with suspension appeal rejected

Cristian Romero has endured a wasted international break after his appeal against suspension ahead of Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador was rejected.

The Tottenham defender was called up to the national team squad despite being suspended for not following international match protocols during September's international break.

Romero, alongside Emiliano Buendia, Emiliano Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso, served the first of his two-game ban for Friday's win against Venezuela, and the Argentine FA were hopeful of getting those suspensions overturned via appeal.

FIFA have now confirmed those bans will stand, meaning Romero has flown across the world to South America to not play any football.

The defender could now return to Spurs sooner rather later. Ben Davies has also left the Wales camp to go back to north London and it is hoped he will be fit for Newcastle's visit on Sunday.

Tottenham and Argentina have strained relations at present. The club were not happy with the national team's decision to call Romero up despite his suspension, even though they had already qualified for Qatar's World Cup later this year.

Romero was also sidelined for three months after suffering a hamstring injury with Argentina back in November, while Lo Celso and Colombian Davinson Sanchez had to train in Croatia before returning to the United Kingdom in order to avoid quarantine.

Since returning from that injury, however, Romero has impressed at Spurs, with his aggressive defending and ball-playing ability earning admirers from the Tottenham fanbase.


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Source : 90min