Appeal reaffirms the controversial sanction against Flick for his expulsion against Betis

Bad news for FC Barcelona. The sanction against Hansi Flick has been confirmed, who will not be able to return to the culé bench, at least until mid-January in relation to LaLiga EA Sports. The German coach will miss the matches against both CD Leganés on December 15 at Montjuïc, as well as the one on December 21 against Atlético de Madrid, this last one also at the Blaugrana fortress.

It should be noted that Hansi Flick was sent off in the match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona from the last matchday 16 in LaLiga EA Sports at the Benito Villamarín. The expulsion took place in the 63rd minute of that match, when the German coach allegedly vehemently protested the decision of referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz to award a penalty for an alleged foul by Frenkie de Jong against Vitor Roque in the culé area. This decision was confirmed as a penalty kick and ended in a 1-1 draw, effectively converted by Giovani Lo Celso.

As a result, the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) imposed a two-match ban on him, in response to what was reflected in Muñiz Ruiz's report as: "for leaving the technical area, shouting and gesticulating, protesting one of my decisions." In response, Barcelona lodged an appeal, providing evidence that the German coach never protested the referee's decision but rather his frustration was directed at himself, as Hansi Flick explained in the post-match press conference.

The appeal dismissed Barcelona's appeal against the sanction imposed on Hansi Flick

Unfortunately for Barcelona, appealing to the committee has not helped much, even though the Catalan side has presented video evidence to support their argument that Hansi Flick's frustration was not directed at the referee.

However, the appeal has been rejected, just like the initial decision (Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation), with the organization stating that the evidence presented does not clearly demonstrate that the action did not unfold as described in Muñiz Ruiz's report.

When will the German coach return to take charge of Barça in LaLiga?

Therefore, Barcelona will not have Hansi Flick on the bench until the beginning of the year, specifically for the match in which the Catalan team will face Getafe CF at the Coliseum on January 19. It is important to note that this sanction does not apply to other RFEF-affiliated tournaments, so it will not affect either the Copa del Rey match against UD Barbastro (01/04) or the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club (01/08).

It is also worth mentioning that this is the first expulsion that Hansi Flick has suffered with FC Barcelona. It appears that in these two matches where the German master will be absent, he will be replaced by his assistant coach Marcus Sorg.