Manuel Pellegrini Faces Possible 12-Match Ban After Criticizing Referee in Barcelona Defeat
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini might face a suspension of up to 12 matches following his harsh criticism of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea after his team’s 5-2 loss against Barcelona.
The Chilean coach expressed strong dissatisfaction with key decisions during the match, especially the disallowed goal by Giovani Lo Celso due to a handball by Cucho Hernandez and a red card that Pellegrini believed significantly affected the final outcome.
Refereeing Union Reviews Comments
The Spanish referees’ union, AESAF, is currently reviewing Pellegrini’s remarks. They may submit a formal complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for disciplinary action.
“It seemed to me like a lamentable performance by the referee, lacking footballing criteria,” Pellegrini said after the match.
Depending on the review, the RFEF Disciplinary Committee could take action if Pellegrini's comments are judged to violate regulations concerning respect for officials.
Possible Sanctions According to RFEF Rules
Article 106 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code penalizes those who question referees' impartiality or honesty or use offensive language to discredit their performance.
- Potential suspension length: 4 to 12 matches
- Possible fine: Between €601 and €3,005.06
Though no official sanction has been announced yet, similar past cases have sometimes been seen as protected by freedom of expression, which could allow Pellegrini to avoid punishment.
For now, the Betis coach remains under scrutiny as AESAF decides whether to escalate the issue further.
