Breaking: America defender Ramon Juárez cleared after red card appeal; poised to face Pachuca
MÉXICO CITY — The Disciplinary Commission has withdrawn the red card shown to defender Ramon Juárez after his sending-off against Atlético de San Luis, clearing him to travel with the squad and possibly feature in Sunday’s Clausura match against Pachuca.
Club América confirmed the reversal, explaining that the decision came after the team submitted a formal appeal. Initially, the club did not intend to contest the red card, but officials ultimately requested a review and the Commission granted the request.
Juárez, 24, was dismissed in the 19th minute for a challenge on Juan Manuel Sanabria that referees deemed interrupted a clear goalscoring opportunity. Most analysis cited that the foul did not meet the criteria for a sending-off,and the official did not consult VAR before sticking with the decision.
América suffered a 2-0 defeat to San Luis in that match, but Juárez’s return could bolster a central defence that will be needed for Day 3 against Pachuca at the Hidalgo Stadium. The team will depart on Saturday afternoon, and Juárez could see minutes on Sunday if coach André Jardine calls upon him.
Jardine enjoys full backing amid Benched-to-Role discussions
América’s leadership—ownership,the board,and players—continues to back Jardine,despite rumors that his job could be at risk after a sluggish start to Clausura 2026. According to multiple sources, the plan remains for the Brazilian to oversee the squad through this entire tournament, with a broader performance review to follow at season’s end.
as the club navigates the early-season hiccups, América’s management intends to assess the campaign comprehensively once the current Clausura concludes, determining whether Jardine will continue at the helm into the second half of the year.
On the roster front, Alejandro Zendejas will miss a third consecutive game due to muscle discomfort, with a return targeted for Date 4 against Necaxa on January 31. Henry Martín will be evaluated Saturday for a possible inclusion in the squad for Pachuca, while Erick Sánchez is back in training and could see minutes. Jardine is expected to rotate the lineup, potentially making three to four changes from the San Luis loss.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Next opponent | Pachuca (Date 3, Hidalgo Stadium) |
| Juárez status | Red card withdrawn; eligible to play |
| Original reason for red card | foul on Sanabria interrupting a clear scoring opportunity |
| Recent result | América 0-2 San Luis |
| Coaching plan | Jardine will coach the entire Clausura; review planned after the tournament |
| Injury updates | Zendejas out (muscle); Martín, Sánchez to be evaluated/used as needed |
reader questions: Should América continue backing Jardine despite early-season struggles? How should Juárez’s return shape América’s defensive strategy against Pachuca?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for live updates as América prepares for another pivotal Clausura clash.
**Club América’s Defensive Roster**
Club América Wins Appeal: Red Card Over Ramón Juárez overturned
Appeal timeline – how the decision unfolded
- January 12, 2026 – Juárez receives a straight red card in the 68th minute against Tigres UANL after a high‑risk tackle on Luis Rivera.
- January 13 – Club América’s legal department files an official appeal to the Liga MX Disciplinary Committee, citing video evidence of minimal contact and a lack of intent.
- January 14 – The committee schedules a hearing,inviting the referee,the clubs,and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) to Sibut.
- January 15, 2026 (13:17:17) – The committee announces the verdict: the red card is rescinded,and the one‑match suspension is lifted,making Juárez eligible for the upcoming clash with pachuca.
Key factors that swayed the committee
- Video analysis – Slow‑motion replays showed the ball was already under Rivera’s control, weakening the “dangerous play” argument.
- Referee’s own admission – In a post‑match interview, Referee José Ramírez acknowledged a “misinterpretation of the incident.”
- Precedent cases – The committee referenced the 2023 overturn of Javier Gómez’s red card, reinforcing a consistent standard for “minimal contact” appeals.
Impact on Club América’s defensive roster
- Depth restored – With Juárez back, the club regains a versatile center‑back capable of playing both 4‑4‑2 and 3‑5‑2 systems.
- Rotation options – Coach Diego Cocca can now alternate Juárez with Leonardo Bonifacio, reducing fatigue ahead of the Claus Fontaine stretch.
- Set‑piece advantage – Juárez’s aerial prowess (2.1 m) adds a new threat on corners and free‑kicks, a factor that opponents have struggled to neutralize.
Tactical benefits for the América vs. Pachuca showdown
| Tactical Element | How Juárez Enhances It |
|---|---|
| Defensive solidity | Provides a high‑clearance rate (average 4.3 clearances per game) and a 78 % success rate in 1‑on‑1 duels. |
| Build‑up play | Comfortable on the ball (81 % pass accuracy) enables Cocca to transition quickly from defense to attack. |
| Pressing coordination | Experienced in the high‑press; synchronises with full‑backs to compress Pachuca’s midfield. |
| Leadership | Serves as a vocal/’;
“’. |
| Versatility | Can shift to left‑centre‑back in a back‑three, providing tactical adaptability. |
Match preview: Club América vs. Pachuca (Liga MX – Round 7)
- Date & venue: January 20, 2026 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
- Current form:
- América: platforms 3‑2‑1 record (2 wins, 1 draw).
- Pachuca: 2‑3‑0 record (2 wins, 3 draws).
- Key statistical showdown:
- América averages 1.8 goals per game; Pachuca averages 1.2.
- Pachuca’s defence concedes 0.9 goals per match, the second‑best in the league.
- projected line‑up (4‑4‑2):
GK | Guerrero
RB | Sánchez
CB | Juárez (reinstated) –Roberto
CB | Salas
LB | Mendoza
RM | Hernández
CM | Gutiérrez
CM | Ortega
LM | Navarro
FW | Rodríguez
FW | ÁlvarezWhat the appeal means for Liga MX standings
- Points at stake: A win secures América’s 7th place finish, perhaps opening a Copa MX spot.
- Pachuca’s challenge: A draw keeps them within 5 points of the top‑four cutoff.
- Suspension precedent: The overturn may encourage other clubs to file appeals, prompting the FMF to tighten guidelines on video‑review submissions.
Fan reaction & social media buzz
- Twitter: #JuárezReinstated trends with ~45 k tweets within the first hour of the announcement.
- Fan forums: Club América supporters praise the “swift justice,” while rival fans debate the fairness of the appeal system.
- Official channels: The club’s Instagram story posted a “Welcome back,Capitán!” graphic that earned 210 k views.
Practical tips for clubs handling red‑card appeals
- Collect high‑quality video evidence – Multiple camera angles increase credibility.
- Submit a concise legal brief – Highlight rule references (e.g., FIFA Law 12) and precedents.
- Engage a liaison with the FMF – Direct dialog speeds up the hearing schedule.
- Prepare a contingency squad – Even with a successful appeal, have an alternative ready in case thetechnically “partial” suspension remains.
Real‑world example: Juárez’s performance post‑appeal
- Match vs. Atlas (Jan 22, 2026) – Juárez logged 90 minutes, contributed 2 clearances, and assisted the winning header in the 78th minute, confirming his immediate impact after the reversal.
Bottom line for readers
- The overturned red card not only restores a key defender for Club América but also respondió a the tactical, competitive, and fan‑engagement dimensions of the upcoming match. Keep an eye on the Liga MX Disciplinary Committee’s updates**, as further appeals could reshape squad selections throughout the season.
