Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has strongly questioned why he was sent off during his side’s 2-2 draw with Real Betis on Saturday afternoon, a decision he is said to be appealing to the club
The usually reserved German coach lost his cool when Betis were conceded a shot in the second half. Barcelona loanee Vitor Roque was at the epicenter of the incident, launching himself into the penalty area before tackling Frenkie de Jong.
The referee on the pitch, Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, initially waved play on, much to the obvious chagrin of Roque, who had lost his boot in the challenge. After a word in the video assistant referee’s ear, Muniz Ruiz overturned his decision and pointed to the spot, prompting an outburst from Flick. The Barcelona coach received a straight red card against Giovani Lo Celso kicked the penalty.
“I don’t understand my red card,” Flick told reporters gathered after the game. “I didn’t say anything to anyone, it was just my reaction. It took me a long time to decide whether it was a penalty or not. If you need that much time, it could be a matter of doubt. I’m It’s never happened to me before, but maybe it’s something I was angry with myself, not with anyone.
Muniz Ruiz explained Flick’s dismissal in his match minutes, writing: “He was sent off for leaving the technical area shouting and gesticulating, protesting one of my decisions.”
the first Bayern Munich The boss has earned at least a two-match ban with this red card, although Spanish publication mark have reported that the club is appealing the “unfair” decision.
As the report states, Article 127 of the Spanish Federation’s Disciplinary Code states that “the protest before the main referee, the assistants or the fourth referee, as long as it does not constitute a more serious foul, will be sanctioned with a suspension from two to three”. matches or for a period of up to one month”.
yes BarcelonaThe club’s appeal falls on deaf ears, Flick will be sidelined for the club’s final two league games of 2024; a visit from strugglers Leganés next weekend ahead of a big clash with Atlético de Madrid on December 21.
Beyond his own indiscipline, Flick was unimpressed with his team’s performance. After watching his side equalize in the 94th minute, the German highlighted: “I’m very disappointed with what happened on the pitch. It was a must-win game. We have a very young team and we need to improve a lot. We have to be stronger for away games.”
