Friday, May 7, 2021 at 2:10 PM• Rian Rosendaal

Ronald Koeman is clearly not happy with his two-game suspension. The Barcelona coach was given the penalty after his red card in the home game against Granada (1-2). Koeman shouted last Thursday, in the 66th minute of the game ‘despite some warnings’, vaya personaje towards the fourth man, as it turned out later from the referee’s report. That roughly translates to ‘You are quite special’, ‘You are one of them’ or ‘What a character’. He already missed the away match against Valencia (2-3) and the top match against Atlético Madrid on Saturday is normally also missed..

At the press meeting on Friday, in the run-up to the squatter against Atlético, Koeman gives a clear judgment about the sanction of the Spanish federation. “Yes, I feel like it’s something personal. I don’t think ‘what a character’ is an insult, that’s no reason to suspend someone for two games. So something else has to play a role.” The appeal lodged by Barcelona has been rejected, although the club is making a very last attempt at sports court TAD to get Koeman in the duel with Atlético. However, there is no definite answer yet, to the annoyance of the coach.

“I don’t know if the parties involved have already met, but that will have to be done before tomorrow,” Koeman continues. “I have already been suspended for two matches and I do not understand why it has to take so long before a final decision is made. It must be clarified quickly whether I can be there tomorrow (Saturday, ed.).” It does not matter much to Koeman whether he will be in the stands or in the dug-out against Atlético. “I am a trainer, so I like to be on the field. Otherwise, the technical staff is skilled enough to do the honors, just like against Valencia. We have known each other for a long time. Our philosophy matches and when I go there once that is not a disaster, “said Koeman.

Immediately after the match with Granada, Koeman assured that he had not used any swear words and said he had not offended anyone. However, the Spanish Referees Committee determined that calling vaya personaje has been a valid reason to send Koeman to the stands. “Disrespect is when you insult someone and that has not happened”, Koeman emphasized earlier in conversation with the Spanish media. “We discussed a few moments during the match and that was done in a respectful way.”