BTN News: In a controversial decision, Luis Ernesto Ruiz, a defender for Dorados de Sinaloa, has been handed a four-match suspension after a dangerous tackle left Atlante’s veteran midfielder Christian “Hobbit” Bermúdez with a severe injury. The incident, which occurred during a Liga Expansión MX match, resulted in Bermúdez suffering a fractured tibia and fibula, sidelining him for an estimated four to six months. Despite the severity of the injury, the relatively short suspension for Ruiz has sparked widespread debate across the Mexican football community.
A Severe Injury, But a Lenient Punishment
The tackle that led to Bermúdez’s injury occurred during the eighth round of Liga Expansión MX, leaving the Atlante midfielder in need of a long recovery period. According to Atlante’s medical team, Bermúdez will require months of rehabilitation before he can return to the field. Yet, the four-match ban imposed on Ruiz has left many questioning the fairness of the disciplinary action.
The Mexican Football Federation’s disciplinary committee announced the suspension without further elaboration. However, reports indicate that referee Yonatan Peinado Aguirre classified the foul as “serious foul play” rather than intentional violence. This technicality limited the committee’s ability to impose a harsher penalty, despite widespread criticism.
Controversy Over Disciplinary Actions in Mexican Football
Critics have pointed to the inconsistency in how serious fouls are punished in Mexican football. Many believe that the incident involving Ruiz was not an isolated case but part of a pattern of dangerous play. Just weeks before injuring Bermúdez, Ruiz was involved in another incident where a Tapatío player suffered a significant injury. This history has raised questions about whether the disciplinary measures in Liga Expansión MX are sufficient to protect players and prevent reckless conduct.
Atlante’s management, including team owner Emilio Escalante, has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling. Escalante suggested that the punishment was far too lenient, calling for harsher sanctions to discourage dangerous play. Some sources had even speculated that Atlante might push for Ruiz to be banned until Bermúdez fully recovers. However, as of now, no official statement has been made by the club regarding further action.
Dorados Defend Their Player Amid Media Backlash
On the other side of the debate, Dorados de Sinaloa have defended Ruiz, insisting that the tackle was not made with malicious intent. The club has expressed frustration with what they see as an unfair media portrayal of their player, accusing outlets of turning Ruiz into a “public enemy” due to his involvement in two major injuries within a short time span.
Dorados officials maintain that while the challenge was aggressive, it was within the bounds of competitive play. They argue that labeling Ruiz as intentionally harmful to his opponents is unjust and that the punishment fits the nature of the incident, as classified by the referee.
What’s Next for Luis Ernesto Ruiz?
Luis Ernesto Ruiz will serve his four-match suspension, missing games against Cancún, Tepatitlán, Tlaxcala, and Venados. His return is scheduled for October 22, when Dorados will face Tampico Madero. Meanwhile, Christian Bermúdez begins his long road to recovery, with hopes of returning to the pitch in early 2024.
This incident has sparked ongoing discussions about the balance between physicality and player safety in Liga Expansión MX. While Ruiz will soon return to action, the debate over whether the punishment was proportionate to the crime is likely to continue.
