Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda has been handed a seven-match suspension following his red card during Sevilla’s La Liga draw against Alavés last weekend.
The 52-year-old Argentine was sent off after protesting a refereeing decision and then entered the pitch at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, where he confronted the referee angrily for over a minute.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 18, the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee outlined the breakdown of the ban: two matches for protests, one match for failing to leave the field after dismissal, three matches for showing “attitude of contempt” toward match officials, and an additional one-match suspension for unsporting conduct.
The suspension is a major setback for Sevilla, currently 13th in La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone with 14 matches remaining. Almeyda will miss half of these fixtures as the club fights to secure its top-flight status.
League authorities have highlighted the incident, stressing the importance of respecting referees and match officials. Sevilla must now navigate a critical part of the season without their head coach on the touchline.
