Ander Herrera Receives Ban From Club World Cup Matches, Know When Will He Return for Boca Juniors?

A chaotic event featuring Ander Herrera unfolded during Boca Juniors' Club World Cup opener against Benfica on Monday, June 16, 2025, with the former Manchester United midfielder being handed a four-match ban by FIFA. Herrera was shown a red card just before the halftime whistle after he tried to confront the referee during a VAR review before engaging in a fight with security guards. The Spanish midfielder, however, was not on the pitch. He was subbed off in the 20th minute due to an injury. Ander Herrera ban marks a big blow to Boca Juniors, who are currently contesting the decision, claiming that the penalty is excessive when compared to the two-match suspension given to Benfica's Andrea Belotti for a hazardous high challenge.

Why Ander Herrera Saw Red Card? Reason Behind His 4-Match Ban

Ander Herrera was sent off in the 45th minute of the FIFA Club World Cup match featuring Boca Juniors and Benfica at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Mexican referee Cesar Arturo Ramos turned to his pocket after Herrera violently protested a VAR review regarding a possible penalty decision against Boca Juniors. Though already on the bench following his early substitution, the 35-year-old midfielder angrily approached the official standing in front of the VAR monitor and got involved in a war of words.

Security officers stopped Herrera, but the Spaniard was in no mood to give up as he tried to push them. In a video making the rounds on social media, Herrera was seen being physically held back by security personnel as he aggressively charged towards the on-field official. Referee Ramos immediately showed Ander Herrera red card for his unacceptable gestures and combative behavior despite multiple warnings. FIFA's disciplinary committee particularly penalized Herrera for his physical feud with security staff, leading to a four-match suspension.

The severity of the ban shows FIFA's position on defending match officials and preserving order during the tournament. For a different event involving a studs-up tackle on Florentino Luis in the 88th minute of the same game, Herrera's Boca Juniors teammate Nicolas Figal also received a four-match suspension.

Ander Herrera in Club World Cup: Which Games Will He Miss Due to Suspension?

Herrera will miss the rest of the group stage and maybe the early knockout rounds of the Club World Cup unless Boca Juniors' appeal works. The team will certainly miss his presence in the vital Group C matches in the coming days, which are as follows:

• Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors: Friday, June 20, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
• Auckland City vs Boca Juniors: Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at GEODIS Park in Nashville

If Boca Juniors progress to the next round from Group C, Ander Herrera would also miss their Round of 16 game set for June 28–July 1, as well as a possible quarterfinal match. In case Boca Juniors reach the semifinals, scheduled for July 8 and 9, Herrera can be seen in action.

However, Ander Herrera's availability for the rest of the Club World Cup remains doubtful owing to the muscular injury that led him to withdraw early in the opening match against Benfica, even if the prohibition is cut down on appeal. For the midfielder, who has battled injuries since joining Boca Juniors in January 2025, this most recent setback keeps up a frustrating pattern.