The Turkish teenager, wanted by a clutch of Premier League clubs, was shown a straight red card just before the half-time whistle against Monza.
Sent off for an off-the-ball incident of violent conduct, for elbowing Alessandro Bianco in the face, means that the 19-year-old attacker will miss the next two matches and will possibly be fined by the club.
Sent off for an off-the-ball incident of violent conduct, for elbowing Alessandro Bianco in the face, means that the 19-year-old attacker will miss the next two matches and will possibly be fined by the club.
He will be suspended for trips to Bologna and Lazio, who like Juve are chasing a top four finish to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Yildiz let down his team-mates, who were cruising 2-0 when he lashed out at midfielder Bianco.
'A really good guy'
Juventus interim head coach Igor Tudor said in his post-match press conference: “Yildiz was very sad, because he’s a really good guy.”
He didn’t come across as a “good guy” in Sunday’s victory with his unsporting behavior, in an incident that was referred to VAR to reach a final decision.
The VAR official said: “You can see it is a clear elbow, there was no reason for it. He clearly looks at the player and then hits him with the elbow.”
Match referee Daniele Perenzoni sent off Yildiz, with the player not pleading his innocence to the red card. He has since apologized to Juventus fans via social media.
Official reveals fact
Former referee Mauro Tonolini, a representative of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA), explained to the media in Italy: “The fact that Yildiz looks for Bianco and goes towards him is obviously the reason why it is violent conduct, and VAR was right to intervene.
“We have many situations where arms connect with opponents, but looking at him [Yildiz] confirms it was voluntary.”
Juve went on to register a 2-0 triumph, which confirmed Monza will compete in Serie B next term, and keeps dreams alive for the Bianconeri to qualify for a Champions League berth.