We would like to inform you that the J.League Disciplinary Committee has finalized the disciplinary action for Diego Pituca's conduct, for which he was sent off in the 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 6 against Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday, April 2nd.
The Disciplinary Committee's punishment is a suspension of 4 matches in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Additionally, as a unique club penalty, he will be suspended for a total of 2 matches in the J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage held during the suspension period.
The club takes this incident very seriously and sincerely apologizes to those who were endangered by this act, to the spectators who came to the stadium, and to all football fans and related parties. We will thoroughly instruct our players to prevent recurrence.
■ Player in question
Diego Pituca
■ Disciplinary action
Suspension from a total of 4 Meiji Yasuda J1 League matches
■ Reason for disciplinary action
In the 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 6 (Kashima Antlers vs. Shimizu S-Pulse) on Saturday, April 2nd, player Diego Pituca was ordered off the field by the referee. As a result of deliberations in light of the Japan Football Association's disciplinary standards for competitions and competitive events, it was determined that the player's act of kicking a plastic bottle, which was placed in the technical area, towards the stands immediately after being ordered to be substituted and leaving the field, falls under "extremely dangerous conduct" and "extremely unsportsmanlike conduct," and he will be suspended for 4 matches.
■ Club's unique disciplinary action
Suspension from a total of 2 J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage matches during the suspension period
■ Suspended matches
April 6th (Wednesday) 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 7 vs. Avispa Fukuoka
April 10th (Sunday) 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 8 vs. Yokohama F. Marinos
April 13th (Wednesday) 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage Matchweek 4 vs. Cerezo Osaka
April 17th (Sunday) 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 9 vs. Nagoya Grampus
April 23rd (Saturday) 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage Matchweek 5 vs. Oita Trinita
April 29th (Friday, national holiday) 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 10 vs. Cerezo Osaka
■ Comment from Diego Pituca
I sincerely apologize to the spectators at the stadium who felt endangered by my shameful act, to the attendees who were inconvenienced, to all fans and supporters, and to all those involved with Kashima Antlers. As a human being, I regret my foolish behavior. I had no intention of kicking the plastic bottle towards the supporters, but I kicked it in the heat of the moment. I believe that this act, which could have led to a serious accident, is absolutely unforgivable. I will show my desire to regain everyone's trust through my actions. I am truly sorry.