Real Betis Balompié will appeal the four-match suspension handed to Facundo Bernal by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday. The club argues the match report from the game against FC Barcelona contains a material error and that video evidence does not support the described aggression.
The incident occurred last Saturday at La Cartuja in the final minutes of the 2-5 defeat. The referee's report states the Uruguayan midfielder held an opponent by the neck and delivered two consecutive headbutts when the ball was not in play. The Committee dismissed an initial appeal, stating the video confirms the alleged actions and that the absence of injury does not affect its classification as aggression under Article 103.1 of the Disciplinary Code. The minimum four-match ban is legally mandated, so no extenuating circumstances were considered.
In a statement, Betis said the report "incurs a manifest material error by not adequately reflecting the previous confrontation or the intervention of the opposing player, and the described aggression cannot be appreciated". The appeal will be lodged with the RFEF Appeals Committee. Bernal acknowledged his mistake, saying: "I should have controlled myself."
Sporting director Manu Fajardo was sanctioned with a two-match ban for conduct contrary to sporting order after hitting the fourth official with a ball during a VAR review. Manager Manuel Pellegrini received a yellow card for making observations to the main referee.
Bernal's suspension comes at a sensitive point in the season, with the team sitting fourth in La Liga on 19 points after nine games. His absence will be felt in midfield for the next match away to eighth-placed Celta Vigo on 25 October. Betis are in good spirits after a 1-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord and have a record of three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five outings. The squad is already without the injured J. Firpo, C. Hernandez and I. Losada, according to the official injuries list. The team will aim to maintain its position in the standings during this period of absences.
The appeal will be filed in the coming days as the squad focuses on preparations for the trip to Vigo.
Read the full report at Marca - Primera
