Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini faces a suspension of four to 12 matches after harsh remarks about referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea, following the 2-5 defeat to Barcelona. The Spanish referees’ association is expected to review the comments of the Chilean coach to decide whether to file a formal complaint with the disciplinary bodies.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish Association of Referees (AESAF) will analyse Pellegrini’s statements before deciding whether to refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
After the match at the La Cartuja stadium, the Betis coach expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decisions, describing the officiating as unacceptable.
“I thought it was a miserable judgement, with no football criteria at all,” Pellegrini said.
His anger related in particular to the disallowed goal by Giovani Lo Celso, after a handball by Cucho Hernández, as well as to a sending-off which, according to the coach, directly influenced the final result.
Under Article 106 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, statements that question the integrity or impartiality of referees, or denigrate their work through insulting expressions, can be severely punished.
If the complaint is formalised and the disciplinary committee finds a breach of the regulations, Pellegrini could be suspended for four to 12 matches. In addition, he also faces a fine of between 601 and 3,005.06 euros.