Sevilla manager Matias Almeyda is set to miss half of his side’s remaining LaLiga matches in a further blow to their survival campaign.
The Argentine was sent off in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Alaves but kept complaining to referee Iosu Galech Apezteguia and refusing to leave the pitch.
The Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation has now announced a a seven-match ban for Almeyda, which constitutes half of their remaining 14 games.
Joan Jordán and Juanlu, who were also sent off in the same match, received two-match and one-match bans, respectively.
Almeyda was set to miss one game due to the ban, but six more have been imposed.
The breakdown of the sanction is three matches for contempt, two matches for protests and one match for conduct contrary to good sporting order.
The ban is the longest for a LaLiga coach since 2014 when Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone was given eight games after the Supercopa against Real Madrid.
On that occasion the allegations were far worse, with Simeone accused by referee Fernández Borbalán of striking the fourth official.
Sevilla are currently 13th in LaLiga but just two points from the relegation zone.
The club is also reportedly in heavy debt, with former defender Sergio Ramos currently in a period of exclusivity to assess the club’s accounts after having a €450million takeover offer accepted.
Sevilla respond to Almeyda’s ban
In a statement, Sevilla responded to the coach’s suspension by saying: “Sevilla FC, after learning of the seven-match ban imposed by the Competition Committee on our coach, Matías Almeyda, for his sending-off in last weekend’s match against Alavés, wishes to convey:
“Our full support for our coach in the face of a punishment he considers excessive.
“That we share the regret and apologies expressed by the coach himself after the match for his own reaction.
“That the club’s legal department will exhaust all available avenues to appeal what it considers an excessive sanction, both in the number of matches imposed and in the characterisation of the facts.
“Sevilla FC respects the legal sporting bodies and their decisions, but will use all its tools to defend its legitimate rights and those of its coach.”
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