Barcelona were left fuming on Sunday after manager Hansi Flick was sent off in dramatic fashion during their 2-1 victory over Girona, with sporting director Deco accusing referees of treating the club “more harshly than others.”
Flick’s dismissal came in stoppage time after celebrating Ronald Araujo’s 93rd-minute winner with what referee Jesus Gil Manzano deemed an “unsporting gesture.” The German coach had already been booked earlier in the match for protesting stoppage time decisions and was shown a second yellow card.
The decision means Flick is set to miss El Clasico next weekend — unless Barcelona’s appeal is successful.
Speaking after the game, Flick admitted he regretted his emotional reaction.
“I don’t like seeing myself in this state on television, and I don’t want my grandchildren to see their grandfather like that,” Flick confessed.
“Maybe I should control my impulses, but I love Barça, Barcelona, and its people. That passion sometimes takes over.”
He clarified that his celebration stemmed purely from joy, not provocation.
“It wasn’t aimed at anyone — it was just the passion of the moment.”
Sporting director Deco leapt to Flick’s defence, vowing to appeal the red card and slamming what he described as a pattern of bias against Barcelona.
“The manager said he hadn’t insulted anyone. We’re sure to appeal Flick’s sending-off,” Deco said.
“The referees are always more rigorous against us; they push the limits much further. Winning against Barça gives more satisfaction, but it’s always harder for us.”
He also called Flick’s reaction “understandable.”
“It’s almost impossible to contain yourself in moments like that. Flick has always been calm and balanced — it was pure euphoria, nothing more.”
Ahead of Barça’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos, Flick reflected on how deeply the club has impacted him emotionally.
“Maybe my emotions aren’t the same as before,” he said. “At Bayern, I barely reacted to goals. Now, Barcelona has completely changed me.”
The 60-year-old emphasized that his passion comes from his bond with the club and fans.
“I wasn’t complaining at the referee, but he saw it that way — that’s something I have to accept.”
Barça president Joan Laporta also weighed in, subtly suggesting that refereeing inconsistencies are influenced by forces outside the pitch. While he stopped short of naming Real Madrid, Laporta’s reference to a “white hand” was widely seen as a jab at Los Blancos’ perceived influence in Spanish football.
With tensions rising ahead of El Clasico, Barcelona’s frustration over officiating appears to have reached a boiling point — and Flick’s suspension could add extra drama to Spain’s biggest fixture.
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