Real Betis boss Quique Setien is facing a three-match ban for his conduct in response to Jordi Amat’s red card against Athletic Bilbao on Friday.
Betis fell to their fourth defeat in five games after they were beaten 2-0 by Athletic, which was marred by Amat being sent off for seemingly tripping Aymeric Laporte in the box and kicking the Frenchman while he was down.
That was followed by Setien telling the fourth official that the decision was a ‘disgrace’ and then not immediately leaving his dugout when he was sent to the stands for his protests.
The code of discipline for Spanish referees stipulates a suspension of two to three games for a Coach if they protest to any match official, “providing it does not constitute something more serious.”
The former Las Palmas Coach also risked missing three more games due to not leaving his dugout immediately, as per the instructions of the fourth official, although he may be spared punishment as he eventually did a few minutes later.
Finally, he could be fined €1,500 as the RFEF’s Competition Committee will hear a complaint from the Technical Committee of Referees about his conduct after Christmas.
Setien’s assistant Eder Sarabia, meanwhile, is expected to be given a two-match ban for protests, whereas Swansea City loanee Amat is likely to be suspended for up to three games due to “stepping on an opponent and kicking them with excessive force while they are down.”
Setien described the defender’s sending-off as ‘regrettable and “absolutely crushing” after the game.
