Hansi Flick is Banned for El Clasico: Inside the Furious Red Card Protests Against Girona

Last Updated: October, 2025 | Written by Blizine

Key Takeaways

• Hansi Flick is Suspended: The Barcelona manager was sent off in the 91st minute of the dramatic 2-1 win over Girona and will miss the first El Clasico of the 2025-26 season.
• The Incident: Flick received two quick yellow cards for arguing with Referee Gil Manzano over the limited four minutes of added time.
• The Appeal: Barcelona is appealing the suspension. Crucially, the referee’s official report did not include any offensive gestures, likely ensuring the ban remains at a single match.

Table of Contents

1. The Red Card Incident: What Triggered Flick’s Furious Protests?
2. The El Clasico Fallout: Why Flick’s Ban Matters
3. Barcelona’s Official Response: Appeal Status & Disciplinary Update
4. Looking Ahead: Who Steps Up for Barcelona vs. Real Madrid?

The Red Card Incident: What Triggered Flick’s Furious Protests?

The Catalan derby was a thriller. Barcelona snatched all three points in a dramatic 2-1 victory over rivals Girona, thanks to a 93rd-minute winner from defender Ronald Araujo. However, the thrilling result was overshadowed by the late-game dismissal of manager Hansi Flick.

The Hansi Flick ban for El Clasico stems from a chaotic period deep into stoppage time. Flick, 60, was visibly seething when the fourth official signaled just four minutes of additional time, despite numerous second-half stoppages and delays. He engaged in a furious protest with the officials.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano initially gave Flick a yellow card for “clapping a decision in protest.” Moments later, he showed the German a second yellow and a subsequent red card for “making a gesture in a sign of disapproval,” sending him to the stands. Flick later insisted his reaction was not aimed at the referee, stating, “I didn’t do anything against anyone. I applauded to cheer on my team.”

The El Clasico Fallout: Why Flick’s Ban Matters

The immediate consequence of the red card is a mandatory touchline ban for the next La Liga fixture. That match is the season’s first El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday, October 26th, at the Santiago Bernabeu. For the German coach, this marks his second sending-off since joining the club.

His absence is a significant blow for the Blaugrana as they travel to face their fiercest rivals. Barcelona currently sits one point ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga standings, intensifying the title race early on. A manager’s presence on the touchline is vital for making instant, high-stakes tactical adjustments in a match of this magnitude. This is an essential fixture for the title race and the wider world of football. To keep up with all the latest La Liga news, you can view our dedicated coverage.

Barcelona’s Official Response: Appeal Status & Disciplinary Update

Following the match, the crucial question revolved around the length of the suspension. A one-match ban is standard, but some reports suggested Flick made an ‘obscene gesture’ that could have resulted in a multi-game suspension, potentially up to six matches under Spanish football regulations. We are actively monitoring Hansi Flick’s ban status.

Fortunately for Barcelona, multiple outlets, including COPE, reported a vital detail: Referee Gil Manzano did not include the alleged offensive gesture in his official post-match report. This omission significantly limits the disciplinary risk. Barcelona is set to launch an appeal against the two quick cautions in hopes of overturning the one-match suspension entirely. However, even if the appeal fails, the lack of an aggravating factor mentioned in the report means the El Clasico touchline ban remains limited to a single game, sparing Flick from subsequent fixtures. You can learn more about the formal appeal process and the rules governing La Liga through the official RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) statutes, which can be found in major industry reports.

Looking Ahead: Who Steps Up for Barcelona vs. Real Madrid?

The suspension forces Flick to watch from the stands, leaving his assistant coach to manage the tactical battle from the dugout. The challenge is compounded by a growing injury list at the club. The side that faces Real Madrid is already expected to be without key attacking players, including Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, making Flick’s real-time tactical input even more sorely missed.

The team needs to draw on its collective experience and find inspiration from within. The dramatic winner from Ronald Araujo against Girona showed the fighting spirit is there, even under pressure and with limited personnel. The team’s focus must now turn to the Champions League fixture before the showdown at the Bernabeu. For comprehensive coverage of this club and the wider world of football, explore Blizine’s full football coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why was Hansi Flick sent off against Girona? Hansi Flick was sent off after receiving two quick yellow cards from referee Gil Manzano. The dismissal came after Flick furiously protested the decision to add only four minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match.

How many matches will Hansi Flick miss due to the ban? The standard punishment for a red card due to two yellow cards is a one-match suspension. While the club is appealing, the ban is currently expected to be only for the El Clasico match against Real Madrid.

Where will Flick watch the El Clasico match? Since Hansi Flick is banned for El Clasico from the touchline, he will be required to watch the match from the stands or a separate area in the stadium. He is forbidden from being in the dressing room or the technical area, though he can communicate with his staff via radio or phone.