Hansi Flick blow: Barcelona coach to sit out El Clásico against Real Madrid

The Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee has rejected Barcelona’s appeal and confirmed a one-match suspension for coach Hansi Flick following his red card against Girona. Unless the club successfully appeals to a higher body, the German manager will be forced to watch from the stands during Sunday’s El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu (10:15 p.m. ET).

Barcelona’s Flick appeal fails

“The request to annul the double caution under dispute is denied. Consequently, the disciplinary consequences of Hans-Dieter Flick’s expulsion are maintained, and a one-match suspension is imposed under Article 120 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, along with the applicable fines under Article 52,” the committee stated in its resolution.

Barcelona argued that the match report did not accurately reflect events and asked for Flick’s double caution to be overturned. The committee dismissed the claim, saying the club provided “no evidence to refute the events recorded in the referee’s report.” The decision cited Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, which gives precedence to the referee’s official report unless there is a “clear material error.”

Why is Hansi Flick suspended for El Clásico?

Flick received his second red card since taking charge in Spain during last Saturday’s match against Girona. Referee Jesús Gil Manzano first issued a yellow card for protesting, then sent Flick off following a disputed throw-in call involving Stuani and Christensen that favored Girona.

The incident did not stop at the red card. Broadcast footage showed Flick making two rude gestures with his arms while standing in an area he was not supposed to occupy, celebrating Barcelona’s 2-1 lead through Araújo in a highly unorthodox and unsportsmanlike manner.

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