Sevilla's Almeyda Receives Seven-Game Ban for Referee Confrontation

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

Sevilla's Almeyda Receives Seven-Game Ban for Referee Confrontation

The Spanish Football Federation announced on Wednesday that Sevilla's head coach, Matías Almeyda, has been suspended for seven matches. The sanction stems from an incident that occurred late in Sevilla's 1-1 home draw against Alavés in LaLiga on Saturday, where the Argentine manager was sent off after clashing with match officials.

Almeyda, a former manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, was dismissed from the technical area following a heated exchange. The federation's disciplinary committee detailed the breakdown of the suspension, which includes three matches for "contempt and disregard for the referee," two matches for "complaints made to the officiating crew," one match for "failure to leave the field of play immediately" after being sent off, and an additional match for "conduct disregarding public order."

Video replays and match reports indicated that Almeyda did not immediately comply with the referee's decision to leave the pitch, engaging in a verbal dispute and questioning the reasons for his ejection. Despite issuing an apology after the match for his actions, Almeyda maintained his desire to understand the rationale behind the red card.

Sevilla Football Club has publicly denounced the punishment, labeling it "excessive" and confirming their intention to appeal the federation's decision. This suspension is a significant blow to the club, as it deprives them of their head coach during a pivotal phase of their LaLiga campaign.

The ban means Almeyda will be unable to manage the team from the sidelines for a crucial stretch of league fixtures. The suspension begins with Sevilla's upcoming match against Getafe, a game that holds considerable importance as the club battles to secure its position in Spain's top flight. The team's survival in LaLiga is a primary objective, and the absence of their manager presents a formidable challenge.

This is not the first time this season that the Argentine coach has faced disciplinary action. Almeyda was previously sent off during Sevilla's away fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in the final match of 2025. The recurrence of such incidents highlights a pattern of intense sideline behavior that has now resulted in a lengthy suspension.

Almeyda's passionate coaching style is well-documented, often marked by strong emotional engagement with the game. While this passion can inspire his players, it has also led to confrontations with officials in the past. The club's appeal will likely focus on the severity of the punishment in relation to similar incidents in the league, and the impact it has on their competitive ability.

The suspension places additional pressure on Sevilla's coaching staff and players. They must now navigate these critical matches without their primary tactician, relying on assistant coaches and their collective resolve to achieve positive results. The club's ability to adapt and perform under these circumstances will be a key factor in their fight for survival in LaLiga.

The incident underscores the strict regulations governing sideline conduct in professional football and the consequences of disrespecting match officials. As Sevilla prepares to face Getafe and subsequent opponents without Almeyda, the focus will be on their resilience and determination to overcome this setback.

Ekhbary News Agency