Sevilla see derby ban reduced after incidents against Real Betis

Sevilla have been successful in their appeal to reduce the severity of their punishment, following their derby defeat to Real Betis. Los Nervionenses reacted furiously when handed a ban due to objects being thrown at the Betis players, feeling the measures were disproportionate.
Betis were cruising to a 2-0 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, courtesy of goals from Pablo Fornals and Sergi Altimira.

As the game entered it’s final five minutes, Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles and Marc Bartra were nearly hit as objects rained down from the stands. Referee Jesus Munuera warned the crowd via the loudspeaker, but after objects continued to be thrown onto the pitch, he would take the players down the tunnel for 15 minutes. Eventually the match was able to be completed without further incident, but Sevilla were hit with a partial stadium ban for three matches, corresponding to the area where the objects were thrown, and were fined €45k.

Sevilla punishment reduced from ‘very serious’ to ‘serious’

After making their case to the Appeals Committee, Sevilla have been granted a reprieve. They have judged that the offences were in fact serious, rather than ‘very serious’, and as such, have reduced the punishment accordingly. The stand behind the goal will now only be closed for one game, while the fined has been reduced to €6k. Sevilla do still have the chance to appeal this verdict, and Marca say they will do so. It is set to be a busy month for Sevilla’s lawyers, who have also informed that they will be appealing Marcao’s suspension, after the Brazilian defender was banned for six games for his sending off against Real Madrid.

Matias Almeyda’s controversial defence

The incidents also brought about controversial comments from Sevilla manager Matias Almeyda. In the aftermath of the ban, he pointed out that nobody was harmed, and Almeyda reasoned that were similar approaches taken in South America, then games would rarely be completed. The Argentina manager also chastised the Betis players for what he saw as inciting the crowd beforehand. Fearing similar punishments, Espanyol are set to install nets behind the goals for the Catalan derby against Barcelona. The clash will feature the first time that goalkeeper Joan Garcia is back at Espanyol after moving to their crosstown rivals.

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