Madrid, August 16 (QNA) – The Spanish Football League Association announced today, Wednesday, the suspension of Xavi Hernandez, the coach of FC Barcelona, for two matches, following his dismissal in the match against Getafe in the previous round of the league.
The association stated that the coach’s suspension came as a result of the referee Cesar Soto Grado’s report, who officiated Barcelona’s first match in the league.
The association’s statement added that the referee noted in his report that Xavi protested the referee’s decisions excessively and did not heed his warnings.
Moreover, he went beyond that by leaving the designated coaching area beside the field and continued to protest against the referee’s decisions in front of the fourth official. The association confirmed that Xavi will be absent from his team’s matches against Cadiz on the upcoming Sunday and against Villarreal in the third round.
The match between Barcelona and Getafe ended in a goalless draw in the Spanish league last Sunday. Barcelona continued the match with ten players after the dismissal of their player Raphinha, followed by the ejection of the coach, Xavi.
Following the suspension decision, Oscar Hernandez, the assistant coach, will lead Barcelona in the next two league matches. (QNA)