The RFEF Disciplinary Committee has confirmed a two-match suspension for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick following his red card during the game against Real Betis. Flick was sent off for vehemently protesting the penalty awarded to Betis after a foul by Frenkie de Jong on Vitor Roque. Barcelona’s appeal was rejected, and the original decision has been upheld.

The Incident and Controversy

According to the referee's report, Flick was dismissed for "leaving the technical area while shouting and gesturing, protesting one of my decisions." However, in his post-match press conference, Flick clarified that his frustration was not directed at the referee but stemmed from personal disappointment regarding the penalty call:
"I was angry with myself, not at anyone else."

Despite Barcelona presenting video evidence in their appeal, the committee determined that it failed to clearly refute the referee’s account of the events. They also considered Flick’s continued protests after receiving the red card as an aggravating factor.

Matches Flick Will Miss

The suspension rules Flick out of Barcelona’s LaLiga fixtures against Leganés on December 15 and Atlético Madrid on December 21, both to be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Assistant coach Marcus Sorg will take charge on the touchline during these games unless Barcelona’s secondary appeal proves successful, though expectations for a reversal remain low.

Matches Flick Can Oversee

The ban only applies to domestic league matches, meaning Flick will be on the sidelines for the crucial Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund this Wednesday. Additionally, he will lead Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in early January in Saudi Arabia, as well as subsequent fixtures against Getafe in Madrid and Benfica in Lisbon later in the month.

Navigating Challenges Without Their Leader

Flick’s absence comes at a pivotal stage of the season, with Barcelona battling to maintain momentum in the league. The team will need to adapt and rely on Sorg’s leadership during his temporary stint in charge.

Flick is not expected to return to the home dugout until late January, barring any further complications. For now, Barcelona must prove their resilience and focus, even without their head coach commanding from the touchline.