Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has been handed a two-match suspension following his dismissal during the club’s recent La Liga clash against Real Betis.
The decision, issued by the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee, has left Barcelona deeply dissatisfied, with the club confirming plans to appeal within the allotted 10-day window.
Should the suspension be upheld, Flick will be absent from Barcelona’s next two fixtures: a home game against Leganes on Sunday, 15 December, and a crucial encounter with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, 21 December. Both matches are set to take place at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
Reason Behind the Ban
The official report cites Flick’s dismissal as being due to “protests directed towards the referee, assistant referee, or fourth official.” The punishment includes an additional fine under Article 127 of the Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code.
Despite the ruling, there remains a slim chance that Flick could feature on the touchline for one or both matches. Barcelona is expected to appeal the decision to the Federation’s Appeals Committee.
If that fails, the club may seek provisional relief from Spain’s Administrative Court for Sport (TAD).
Speaking about the matter, a club representative remarked: “We believe the punishment is excessive given the context of the incident. Our legal team is exploring all options to ensure our head coach can lead the team in these important fixtures.”
With a packed schedule ahead, the absence of Flick could complicate preparations, particularly for the high-stakes showdown with Atletico Madrid.