Athletic launch appeal

Athletic Club Bilbao are set to appeal against a four-match ban imposed on defender Asier del Horno by the Spanish Football Federation's new disciplinary committee.
 
Off-the-ball incident
Del Horno received the suspension after being sent off in the 80th minute of Saturday's 3-2 home Primera División defeat by RC Recreativo de Huelva for striking defender Loren in the stomach in an off-the-ball incident. However, TV replays showed that Del Horno had responded to an earlier provocation from the Recreativo player, who then reacted to the incident, and Athletic therefore will hope that the ban will be reduced on appeal.

'A bit excessive'
"It's what I was expecting, because that's the punishment for aggression," said Del Horno, who nevertheless indicated his unhappiness. He added: "I'm not going to say if he slapped me first or not. All I'll say is that when he fell down, he clutched at his face and not his stomach, which is where in theory I hit him. Everyone has seen the replay on TV and I think it's a bit excessive."

Gurpegi suspended
The ban is a further blow for Athletic, coming only four weeks after midfield player Carlos Gurpegi was suspended following a positive test for nandrolone. The club produced evidence last week supporting their claim that the player's own metabolism produced the substance internally but Gurpegi remains banned pending resolution of the issue.