Almeyda's meltdown: Ref's damning report reveals full extent of Sevilla boss's touchline explosion
Iosu Galech's match report details Matías Almeyda's shocking confrontation that stopped play for three minutes, with Lamela and Salazar also in hot water.
Sevilla manager Matías Almeyda is facing a lengthy touchline ban after completely losing the plot during his side’s clash with Alavés at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
The Argentine’s Almighty Meltdown
The ref’s report, just released by the Spanish FA, makes for proper car-crash reading. Almeyda wasn’t just sent for an early bath – he refused to leave, confronted the officials face-to-face, and caused such chaos that the match had to be stopped for three minutes.
According to referee Iosu Galech, the Sevilla gaffer copped a straight red for “shouting and making disapproving gestures” despite previous warnings from the linesman about his touchline antics.
But that was just the appetiser in this three-course meal of madness:
- Almeyda repeatedly refused to leave the technical area despite multiple requests
- He then stormed onto the pitch, getting “challengingly and intimidatingly” in the referee’s face
- The Argentine continued this face-off for over a minute
- After finally backing off, he booted a water bottle “aggressively”
- Then returned to confront the fourth official in the same manner
- Eventually had to be physically removed by Sevilla staff and security
Absolute scenes in Seville, and the kind of behavior that’s going to hit Almeyda where it hurts – right in the wallet, with a hefty suspension likely heading his way.
Sevilla’s Post-Match Problems
The drama didn’t end with the final whistle either. The referee’s report drops two more Sevilla names in the mud:
Erik Lamela – yes, the former Spurs man – apparently confronted officials in the tunnel at half-time, allegedly telling them in a threatening tone: “You’ll have to come out through here later.”
Meanwhile, club employee Agustín Salazar reportedly called the officials “cagones” (cowards) repeatedly after the match.
It’s been a proper nightmare for the Nervión outfit. The Spanish FA’s disciplinary committee will be working overtime on this one, and Sevilla might need to have a word about keeping their heads when things aren’t going their way.