Flick, sanctioned and Barça files an appeal to the Appeals Committee

Flick was sent off during the match against Girona for double yellow card, and will serve a one-match suspension.

A controversial expulsion

The incident occurred in the final moments of the match against Girona. Flick received the first yellow card when the fourth official showed the added time sign, at which point the coach was encouraging De Jong. Gil Manzano interpreted that gesture as a protest and decided to caution him. Surprised, Flick reacted with a gesture that the referee deemed inappropriate, thus showing him the second yellow card and the consequent expulsion. Despite the controversy, Barça managed to win 2-1, with a goal from Ronald Araujo in added time, sealing the blaugrana victory.

Laporta defends Flick

The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, showed his support for the coach and questioned the refereeing during his speech at the ´Sport and Geopolitics´ discussion within the ´Forum World in Progress 2025: A Sale Future´. Laporta stated: "The referee made a mistake waiting for our coach´s reaction, he could have turned around and continued. I stand up for Flick, he is human and can have such a reaction. Immediately, he regretted it, but it is very normal and part of the passion of football, it is not offensive nor does it intend to harm."

Barça will appeal to the end

From the Catalan club, they believe that the television images do not prove that Flick directed his gesture at the referee. According to Barça´s version, the coach was talking to De Jong, who was behind him, and not with the referee. For this reason, the club has decided to file an appeal with the Appeals Committee, which could issue its ruling between Thursday and Friday, and is expected to uphold the decision of the Competition Committee. If the Appeals Committee also rejects the appeal, the next step for FC Barcelona will be to request a precautionary measure before the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD), with the aim of allowing Flick to coach his team at the Santiago Bernabéu.

No sanction for the celebration

On the other hand, the Competition Committee has not opened an official file for Flick´s celebrations after Araujo´s goal. The gesture of the ´botifarres´ by the coach was not reflected in the match report, which is why no additional sanction has been imposed.