Garcia: Suspension is ‘unprecedented’

Luis Garcia has hit out at the Competition Committee for hitting him with a two-game suspension for what he believes was very little.

The Coach was dismissed in the final minute of stoppage time during Getafe’s Monday night match with Granada for entering the field of play with his arms raised and, according to the referee’s notes, protesting.

Garcia’s ire had been drawn by his side having conceded a second penalty against them in the game, from which Granada subsequently took a 2-2 result.

The Coach has now been given a two-game ban, which has become a regular penalty for La Liga’s tacticians this season when sent to the touchline. 

“It is unbelievable, unprecedented. I speak not of the expulsion, because if you look at the regulations then it is so,” reflected Garcia at a Press conference this week.

“Unwittingly I went into the field of play and raised my arms, but both games as a ban I do not understand.

“I can lose two games on the touchline for doing that with my arms, all the Coaches are measured by gruelling standards that are incomprehensible.

“I have always been highly respectful of referees with all statements and behaviour. Besides, it was the 93rd minute and it was a dubious penalty.

“I said in the Press conference that he whistled for what he saw, a Coach does not deserve two games for his reaction at the time. It is not fair.

“It already seemed exaggerated with the punishment for Sergio Ramos [who picked up a five-game ban for accumulating yellow cards and then insulting the referee after being sent off earlier this month], and from last year I have decided to be respectful. My criticisms are aimed towards the Competition Committee and not the referees.

“I say we have to do something to defend ourselves. It is not normal that for a dubious penalty, which can happen, that I am banned for two games for entering the field.”

Tags Competition Committee Luis Garcia RFEF
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