Sevilla FC head coach Matias Almeyda has been handed a seven-match ban following his red card and subsequent protest during last weekend’s La Liga clash with Alaves.
The Argentine, 52, was sent off after confronting the referee and continued to argue on the pitch for over a minute, prompting disciplinary action from the Spanish football federation.
The federation’s disciplinary committee broke down the suspension as follows: two matches for his initial protest, one match for failing to leave the field promptly, three matches for showing contempt toward match officials, and a final game for unsporting conduct.
The decision comes as Sevilla sit 13th in the league, just two points above the relegation zone with 14 games remaining. Almeyda will miss nearly half of the remaining fixtures, potentially complicating the club’s fight for safety.
Almeyda’s fiery exchange with the referee occurred at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium after Sevilla’s 1-1 draw. The coach’s actions drew criticism from league officials, who emphasised the importance of respecting refereeing authority.
Sevilla now faces the challenge of navigating the rest of the season without their experienced coach on the sidelines.
