David Navarro (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Navarro Pedrós is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
in Switzerland
, as a central defender.
, Camp de Morvedre
, Valencia, Navarro was a product of local giants Valencia CF
's youth ranks. During the course of six seasons, he appeared sporadically for the 2002 and 2004 league champions. In addition, he added a rare goal (in the 90th minute) on 26 February 2004, in a UEFA Cup triumph over Beşiktaş JK
(3–2 home success), as the Che eventually emerged victorious
.
On 6 March 2007, Navarro sparked an on-pitch melee that occurred during a UEFA Champions League tie against F.C. Internazionale Milano
. Navarro, who had spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute, ran onto the pitch as the brawl began with an exchange of words and what appeared to be a kick by fellow defender Carlos Marchena
at Inter counterpart Nicolás Burdisso
. On the pitch, Navarro punched Burdisso in the face, breaking the Argentine
's nose, while he was being held back by his teammates, then proceeded to run away, chased by Inter players Julio Cruz
, Iván Córdoba and Maicon, all the way to the tunnel.
As the scuffles continued on the field, Navarro sought refuge in the Valencia dressing room. Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room to confront Navarro, while Inter players Luís Figo
and Esteban Cambiasso
argued with the security personnel that tried to prevent them from entering the Valencia dressing room too.
On 7 March 2007, UEFA charged Marchena and Navarro, as well as Burdisso, Córdoba and Maicon, with "gross unsporting conduct." Navarro later apologised for his involvement in the incident, stating he was "very sorry and ashamed" for his actions and also noted he would contact Burdisso to apologize.
On 14 March, after reviewing video evidence of the brawl, UEFA suspended Navarro for seven months from European football (it was later reduced to six months). After several appeals to FIFA to allow the ban to cover both domestic and international games, on the 20th, Navarro had his ban applied to all games, ending with 2006–07's closure.
In 2007–08, Navarro spent one year-long loan at RCD Mallorca
, where he was used as a backup, appearing in 18 matches and returning to Valencia in July 2008, to be immediately loaned again to the Balearic Islands
side, until the end of 2008–09, where he now featured prominently (29 matches, netting once).
Navarro subsequently returned to Valencia, going on to serve as club captain, replacing longtime incumbent David Albelda
.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, as a central defender.
Club career
Born in SaguntoSagunto
Sagunto or Sagunt is an ancient city in Eastern Spain, in the modern fertile comarca of Camp de Morvedre in the province of Valencia. It is located in a hilly site, c. 30 km north of Valencia, close to the Costa del Azahar on the Mediterranean Sea...
, Camp de Morvedre
Camp de Morvedre
Camp de Morvedre is a comarca in the province of Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain.- Municipalities :*Albalat dels Tarongers*Alfara de Algimia*Algar de Palancia*Algimia de Alfara*Benavites*Benifairó de les Valls*Canet d'En Berenguer*Estivella...
, Valencia, Navarro was a product of local giants Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
's youth ranks. During the course of six seasons, he appeared sporadically for the 2002 and 2004 league champions. In addition, he added a rare goal (in the 90th minute) on 26 February 2004, in a UEFA Cup triumph over Beşiktaş JK
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
(3–2 home success), as the Che eventually emerged victorious
2004 UEFA Cup Final
The 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
.
On 6 March 2007, Navarro sparked an on-pitch melee that occurred during a UEFA Champions League tie against F.C. Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. Navarro, who had spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute, ran onto the pitch as the brawl began with an exchange of words and what appeared to be a kick by fellow defender Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena López is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender with an aggressive approach, he can also pitch in as a defensive midfielder...
at Inter counterpart Nicolás Burdisso
Nicolás Burdisso
Nicolás Andrés Burdisso is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central or right defender for A.S. Roma. He also holds European Union nationality.-Boca Juniors:...
. On the pitch, Navarro punched Burdisso in the face, breaking the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
's nose, while he was being held back by his teammates, then proceeded to run away, chased by Inter players Julio Cruz
Julio Ricardo Cruz
Julio Ricardo Cruz is a former Argentine footballer.-Early career:A tall, physical striker at , Cruz started his career with Banfield in 1993. He moved to River Plate in 1996.-Feyenoord:...
, Iván Córdoba and Maicon, all the way to the tunnel.
As the scuffles continued on the field, Navarro sought refuge in the Valencia dressing room. Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room to confront Navarro, while Inter players Luís Figo
Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
and Esteban Cambiasso
Esteban Cambiasso
Esteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau , nicknamed "Cuchu" , is an Argentine football midfielder who plays for Italian Serie A club Internazionale....
argued with the security personnel that tried to prevent them from entering the Valencia dressing room too.
On 7 March 2007, UEFA charged Marchena and Navarro, as well as Burdisso, Córdoba and Maicon, with "gross unsporting conduct." Navarro later apologised for his involvement in the incident, stating he was "very sorry and ashamed" for his actions and also noted he would contact Burdisso to apologize.
On 14 March, after reviewing video evidence of the brawl, UEFA suspended Navarro for seven months from European football (it was later reduced to six months). After several appeals to FIFA to allow the ban to cover both domestic and international games, on the 20th, Navarro had his ban applied to all games, ending with 2006–07's closure.
In 2007–08, Navarro spent one year-long loan at RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, where he was used as a backup, appearing in 18 matches and returning to Valencia in July 2008, to be immediately loaned again to the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
side, until the end of 2008–09, where he now featured prominently (29 matches, netting once).
Navarro subsequently returned to Valencia, going on to serve as club captain, replacing longtime incumbent David Albelda
David Albelda
David Albelda Aliqués is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF as a defensive midfielder.He played mainly for local Valencia during his extensive professional career, being team captain for over a decade....
.