After reviewing the match against Atlético de Madrid, Barcelona has decided to appeal the direct red card that Xavi saw at the Metropolitano so that it becomes, at most, a yellow card. The technician saw two cards. The first yellow card was due to a protest for a foul by Witsel on Robert Lewandowski, which Xavi insistently complained to the referee group around him, especially to the fourth referee Juan Antonio Campos Salinas. The direct red came a minute later. According to the referee's report of the match refereed by Sánchez Martínez, the expulsion occurred for "making technical observations on one of my decisions, loudly, making inconsiderate gestures and after having been previously warned by the fourth referee." In some images offered by DAZN, you can see the moment in which the fourth referee insists Sánchez Martínez to send off Xavi: “Take it out, take it out, second and out,” he repeats over the earpiece.
Although at first they were not going to appeal, Deco insisted on doing so after reviewing the images of the match. They consider that Xavi did not make any gesture of inconsideration and point out that with Simeone, who sometimes entered the field of play, he was more permissive. In the review of the match they have also observed that the fourth referee was practically on top of the Barcelona coach the entire time.
The competition committee will meet this Wednesday. The regulations say that, since Xavi saw a yellow one a minute before the expulsion, he will surely be one game away from the bench. If the removal of the second red card were not possible, there would be two games so that Xavi would not be able to lead his team either against Las Palmas in Montjuïc or in the Cádiz field.
But there is also speculation about a three-match ban. Two for the reasons for the expulsion and a third for repeat offenders since Xavi saw a red card earlier this season on the first matchday when Getafe managed to get a point away from him. On that occasion,
If the aforementioned recurrence applies, Xavi would not be able to direct a third match that coincides with the Bernabéu classic against Real Madrid. In that case, the Blaugrana club claims that there are no precedents. This is the case of Michel, Girona coach, who saw two direct red cards last season against Betis and Barça and was always suspended for two games. Nor were other coaches such as Luis García Plaza of Alavés or Francisco Rodríguez of Rayo Vallecano punished with a third game for repeat offenses.
