Tribunal imposes historic 20-match ban in Chilean football

Chile's National Professional Football Association (ANFP) Disciplinary Tribunal has issued a landmark suspension, banning Rangers physical trainer Leandro Méndez for 20 matches. This unprecedented sanction in Chilean football stems from an alleged attempt to manipulate an official match report.

The incident occurred following a women's league match between Rangers and Deportes Concepción on May 15. According to the report, Méndez approached referee Natalia Vera in the officials' locker room after the game. He is accused of requesting that the expulsion of coach Mauricio Valenzuela be recorded under Méndez's name, citing the coach's personal unavailability for the subsequent match.

Vera reportedly rejected this request. During a subsequent hearing, Méndez denied asking the referee to change the report. He acknowledged speaking with Vera but stated he only expressed his disagreement with the coach's expulsion. Despite his defense, the tribunal ruled against him, imposing the severe penalty.