The Dutchman was sent off during the Blaugrana’s La Liga home fixture against Granada on Thursday and will potentially miss Barca’s critical games against Valencia and Atlético Madrid in the next couple of weeks.
Koeman was shown red shortly after Darwin Machis equalised for Granada in the 63rd minute at the Nou Camp and according to the post-match report submitted by the referee, the 58-year-old insulted the fourth official, shouting “What a character” at him.
“I was not wrong, because according to the referee report I disrespected the fourth referee and for me, it is not like that. A lack of respect is insulting. I haven’t used ugly words, not once. If they’re going to put things I haven’t said I’ll have to do something. I don’t understand.”
“The sending off bothers me because it is not fair. We will have to see what happens.”
Koeman said in the post-match press conference.
RFEF, the governing body of Spanish football, increased the compulsory one-game ban to two games after reviewing the case and said that Koeman’s behaviour was an “act of disparagement or thoughtlessness towards referees, directors or sporting authorities.”
Koeman’s suspension starts from Barcelona’s weekend clash against Valencia as the Catalan giants look to bounce back to winning ways in order to remain in the four-way title race. They then face title challengers Atletico the following weekend at home, and Barca fans can only hope that their manager’s suspension would be withheld before the potential title decider.
Barcelona currently remain third in the Spanish top-flight with 71 points in 33 games, whereas Real Madrid are in second with three more points than Barca. League leaders Atletico Madrid sit on top with 76 points, and their clash against Messi and co on 8th May at Camp Nou might be their biggest test of the season.
