CONCACAF Hands Corona Three Match Ban

CONCACAF deemed the Cruz Azul goalkeeper's actions against Tijuana in the dying minutes of the semifinal round were enough for him to warrant missing the final.

Jose de Jesus Corona (green shirt, center) will miss the CONCACAF Champions League final. Photo credit: Imago7

By Steve GraffApril 15, 2014 12:42 PM ET

Cruz Azul look to claim their first CONCACAF Champions League trophy since 1996 and win the competition for a sixth time. But they will have to do so without their first-choice keeper.

CONCACAF handed goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona a three-match ban that would rule Corona out for at least the CONCACAF Champions League final. He had already received an automatic one-game ban from CONCACAF for his red card against Tijuana in the semifinals. CONCACAF reviewed his actions in the game-ending fracas in the semifinals and added on two more games for his role in those proceedings.

Cruz Azul team doctor Alfonso Jimenez Vega was also handed a two-match ban, and Cruz Azul received additional undisclosed penalties for missing mandatory post-game media sessions.

Cruz Azul will take on Toluca in the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final tonight at 8 PM ET at the Estadio Azul. The game can be seen on Fox Sports 2 and Univision Deportes Network in the United States.