Barcelona confirm Hansi Flick suspension appeal, VAR controversy, games missed | Sporting News

Barcelona are preparing to appeal against an incoming two-game La Liga ban for head coach Hansi Flick.

La Blaugrana were held to a 2-2 weekend draw at Real Betis as Real Madrid’s subsequent 3-0 win over Girona closed the title gap to just two points – with Los Blancos having played one game less.

However, dropped points at Betis was just one point of frustration for Flick, with the German boss forced to watch the final stages of the game from the Estadio Benito Villamarin stands.

MORE: All the latest soccer news | Barcelona news

Flick was sent off by match referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz after his angry protests on a penalty award against his team on 67 minutes.

Muniz Ruiz was advised to consult a video replay by his VAR team, following a clash between Frenkie de Jong and Barcelona loanee Vitor Roque, and he eventually awarded a spot kick – which was converted by Giovani Lo Celso.

Reports from Marca have since offered an update on what was said between VAR lead Valentín Pizarro and Muniz Ruiz with the latter advising the check, after the former initially did not whistle for a penalty.

“Alejandro, I recommend you review it so you can assess a possible penalty action in the Barca area, please,” he said.

“Let’s see, so the point of impact can be clearly seen with the boot. OK, then he touches the ball, I think, but well, that’s later. It’s secondary,” Muniz replied

“And we are going to cancel that hold, okay? Because it should no longer exist, it is at 16. Penalty.”

Flick was incensed by how long it took to confirm a decision and he could now miss Barcelona’s final two league games of 2024.

What did Hansi Flick do vs. Real Betis?

Despite Flick’s post-game comments of not knowing what he had done to deserve an expulsion, Muniz Ruiz offered clarity in his match report, to highlight the incident.

“He was sent off for coming out of the technical area shouting and gesticulating, protesting one of my decisions,” as per the official report.

Flick said he was not proud of his actions – claiming he was angry with himself, not the officials – alongside confirmation he did not say anything to the referee.

The final decision will be made by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee in the coming days but the standard punishment is a two-game touchline removal.

Which game is Hansi Flick banned for?

If the ban is upheld, Flick’s assistant Marcus Sorg will replace him on the sidelines, but the former Bayern Munich manager will be in place for the UEFA Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund on December 11.

However, he will miss the final two league games of the calendar year, at home to Leganes and Atletico Madrid, on December 15 and 21 respectively.

The ban can be reduced or removed, depending on the result of an appeal, with Barcelona’s first La Liga game of 2025 at Getafe on January 19.