Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is set to serve a touchline suspension for El Clasico after being sent off during Saturday’s win over Girona.
Flick, 60, was shown a red card in the final stages of the La Liga fixture at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys after being judged to have sarcastically applauded an officiating decision.
The Barca head coach was shown a yellow card by referee Jesus Gil Manzano when, with the score at 1-1, he applauded the four minutes off stoppage time added on at the end of the game. He was then shown a second yellow card for his complaints to his initial booking.
Flick is set to serve a minimum of a one-match touchline ban, meaning he will be absent from the touchline at the Bernabeu for the season’s first Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26.
“Football is about emotions, it’s about tension,” Flick said after the game. “They weren’t aimed at anyone, it was just a celebration.
“Frenkie (De Jong) was there and they showed him a card. My reaction wasn’t directed at the referee. And I don’t know why he showed me the second one. The celebration wasn’t directed at anyone, it was because of how we had won. I was happy. I don’t do anything against anyone and I never will. I accept the referee’s decision. It wasn’t directed at him. I applauded so that the team would react.
“I tried to talk to the referee and I couldn’t. He went on his way and I couldn’t. I accept the referee’s decisions, he makes the decisions. What I did had nothing to do with him. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, it doesn’t make me sad, I accept it.”
Flick also said that does not believe that his red card will be appealed.
Barcelona were 2-1 winners over Girona on Saturday, with Ronald Araujo scoring a 93rd-minute winner after Axel Witsel had cancelled out Pedri’s opener in the first half.
Flick was sent off shortly before Araujo’s late winner but was seen in the dugout celebrating his side’s late goal.
It is not the first time Flick has been sent off following his reaction to a refereeing decision during his time at Barca.
In December 2024, he was given a two-game suspension after being shown a red card in a draw against Real Betis. Flick was dismissed following his reaction to the awarding of a Betis penalty, with the referee’s report stating he had been sent off for leaving the technical area, shouting and gesticulating. He watched the remainder of the match from the stands and later expressed his disappointment with the decision.
Barcelona’s win over Girona moved them top of La Liga, one point clear of Real Madrid, who play Getafe on Sunday.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
