Sevilla fuming over 'excessive' seven-match ban for Almeyda
The Andalusian club vows to fight the lengthy touchline suspension handed to their manager at a crucial point in their relegation battle.
Sevilla FC are not taking this one lying down, promising to exhaust every legal avenue after manager Matías Almeyda copped a seven-match ban following his dismissal against Alavés last weekend.
Nightmare timing for relegation-threatened Sevilla
The punishment couldn’t have come at a worse moment for the Andalusians, who are hovering just two points above the drop zone with 26 points after 24 matches. Talk about proper bad timing!
If the ban sticks, Almeyda will be watching from the stands for some absolutely massive fixtures:
- Away to Getafe this Sunday (14:00)
- The Seville derby against Betis at La Cartuja (March 1st)
- Home matches against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona and Valencia
- Further clashes with Oviedo and Atlético Madrid
With Mallorca just two points behind them and several other teams in that relegation dog’s dinner, Sevilla desperately need their gaffer on the touchline during this crucial stretch.
Club statement pulls no punches
The Nervionenses released a statement that was about as diplomatic as a London cabbie in rush hour, though they did acknowledge Almeyda’s post-match apology for his reaction.
The club made it crystal clear they’re standing firmly behind their manager, describing the punishment as “excessive” both in length and in how the incident was characterized by the Competition Committee.
While Sevilla stated they “respect the sporting legal authorities and their decisions,” they’re adamant about using “all available tools to defend their legitimate rights and those of their coach.”
What happens next?
The club’s legal department is already on the blower preparing their appeal. Given how tight things are at the bottom of La Liga, having their manager banned for seven games could be the difference between survival and going down to the Championship… I mean, Segunda División.
For Almeyda, who only took over in October, this represents his biggest challenge yet at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The Argentine will be desperate for his legal team to get this reduced sharpish.