Why Bijol is unavailable for first Leeds United match after Udinese transfer | OneFootball

Former Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol will not be available for his new club’s first match of the 2025-26 Premier League season on Monday night, as he is suspended as a result of a controversial incident during his final Serie A match with the Friulani.

Why Bijol will not be able to play in his first Premier League match with Leeds

Bijol left Udinese to join newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United at the start of the summer transfer window, penning a five-year deal in a reported €22m transfer.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Jaka Bijol of Leeds United looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Villarreal CF at Elland Road on August 02, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Though the Slovenia international is expected to be a regular starter at his new club, he will not be involved during Monday night’s Premier League match against Everton as a result of his sending off during Udinese’s 3-2 loss against Fiorentina in the final round of 2024-25 Serie A fixtures.

As Serie A and the Premier League are both under UEFA jurisdiction, Bijol will still have to serve his suspension with Leeds.

The suspension will only last for one match rather than three, as he was sent off for two yellow card offences in the Udinese-Fiorentina match back in May.

Still, the sending off was deemed controversial at the time, as Bijol clearly won the ball before catching Pablo Mari for the second of his yellow card offences during the Udinese-Fiorentina match.

As it was a yellow card offence, and not a straight red card, VAR could not intervene.