Barcelona decide not to appeal against Xavi’s two-match ban – report

Journalist Victor Navarro has affirmed that Barcelona will not appeal Xavi’s two-match ban, meaning that the manager will not be permitted on the sidelines for Barça’s opening home game against Cadiz this weekend and the away match against Villarreal on August 27.

The Barcelona manager along with Raphinha was punished this Wednesday with a two-match ban for the incident that happened in their opening La Liga match against Getafe.

What really happened?

Xavi’s red card incident happened after Raphinha received his marching orders for hitting an opponent with an elbow on his head. The 43-year-old, meanwhile, was sent off due to his touchline behaviour.

With 20 minutes left in the game, the manager got into an argument with the fourth official over a refereeing decision.

Referee Cesar Soto Grado said in his report that he had already warned Xavi of his behaviour and his squabble with the fourth official was the final roll of the dice.

Xavi’s punishment was ruled based on Article 127, which states: “Protest to the main referee, the assistants or the fourth referee, as long as it does not constitute a more serious offence, will be sanctioned with a suspension of two to three games or for a period of up to one month.”

In an excerpt that was submitted by the official, it was said that the Barcelona manager was sent off for “Leaving his technical area with his arms raised towards the zone of my 4th referee protesting ostensibly one of my decisions, having been previously warned by my 4th referee. 

“Once expelled, he stayed at the mouth of the changing room tunnel, having to be warned by the field delegate for his eviction.”

It was expected that Barcelona would make an appeal against the decision, but as it turns out, they have decided not to.

Meanwhile, Raphinha will be unavailable for the next two games as well and a recent injury to Ronald Araujo will force him to miss the Cadiz game too.