After being sent out for a red card during Saturday’s La Liga 2-2 draw with Real Betis, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has been given a two-game touchline suspension.
The suspension will be applied during the forthcoming league matches against Atletico Madrid and Leganés.
The referee’s report said the German manager had “come out of his technical area, shouting, gesticulating and protesting a decision.” Flick stated that the referee was not the target of his outburst. “I think this was a reaction because it took a long time to look if it was a penalty or not,” he said after the game when asked about his dismissal. “If it’s like this, I wonder if it’s clear (the penalty). But, in the end, it’s like that. We have to accept it and my red card also.”
In the second half of the match at Betis over the weekend, Flick was sent off for contesting the home team’s penalty award for Frenkie de Jong’s challenge on Vitor Roque.
“I’m disappointed about [the red card], though. I thought that would never happen to me. But here [in Spain], maybe it’s like that, and I have to accept it.”
If Barça’s appeal is denied, Marcus Sorg, Flick’s assistant, will take his place on the bench for home games against Leganés and Atlético on December 15 and 21, respectively.
The match against Atlético is crucial as the two teams are only three points apart and Atlético has a game in hand on the league leaders. Currently, the team stands on top of the table with a lead of 38 points. they have won 13 matches, 3 losses and 2 draws.
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