FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick receives a hard ban until the end of January

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has been suspended for two matches after being sent off during his team’s latest La Liga clash against Real Betis at the weekend.

This means that we won’t see the German in the Barca dugout in the league until the end of January because of the Christmas break. The Catalans will also play the Copa del Rey locally and the Spanish Super Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 2025.

More specifically, Flick will miss Sunday’s games against Leganes and an important showdown with a team that is quickly emerging as a potential rival in the title race in Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who, like Leganes, visit Montjuic on December 21.

Barca have 10 working days to lodge an appeal and plan to do so accordingly Mundo Sportswhich quoted anonymous sources.

Former Bayern boss Flick was sent off after complaining about a decision made by match referee Muniz Ruiz.

This led to Real Betis being awarded a penalty in the 66th minute, which the hosts subsequently converted into a 2-2 draw, meaning Barca lost points.

Frenkie de Jong brought down Barca loanee Vitor Roque in the penalty area and, as he wrote in his minutes, Muniz dismissed Flick “for leaving the technical area shouting and gesticulating and protesting against one of my decisions”.

The RFEF made the ban official on the day Barca face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, where significant prize money is at stake, and the two-match penalty is in line with Article 27 of the disciplinary code.

This article in the RFEF rules explains that “Protests to the main referee, assistants or fourth official, unless the offense is more serious, will result in a suspension for two to three matches or for a period of up to two months” to one month”.

Flick’s ban only affects La Liga and, as previously mentioned, will be served during the games against Leganes and Atlético Madrid in December.

This means he can lead his team in the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Barbastro on January 4th and in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on January 8th, in addition to a possible final on January 12th.

However, according to the league, he can only stop watching games from the stands and sit on the bench with his technical staff during his away game at Getafe – a match to be played on January 19.