Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is facing another touchline ban after being sent off at the very end of his team’s 2-1 win over Girona.
Flick was shown red for apparently protesting the decision to add on just
four minutes at the end of the game, although he disputed that afterwards.
“Frenkie was there, I said: come on, Frenkie. Really, it wasn’t for the referee. I clapped to encourage my team,” he told reporters.
“I tried to speak with Gil Manzano, but he didn’t want to. If he doesn’t want to, that’s his decision, and I have to accept it.”
Yet Gil Manzano is always gonna Gil Manzano and out came the red card. There was lots of excitement with some commentors claiming Flick could face a six-game ban but that’s now been dismissed.
The referee’s report reportedly says that Flick was initially booked “for applauding in protest” and then later sent off “for making a gesture of disapproval.”
There’s also no mention of the gesture he gave after Araujo scored late on, meaning he is only expected to receive just a one-match ban.
Flick will therefore be in the stands next weekend for El Clasico but should be back on the touchline after that.
