'The referees are always stricter with us' - Hansi Flick red card sparks Barcelona fury as sporting director Deco claims it's 'impossible' for coach to contain his emotions

Barca manager Flick’s dismissal during the chaotic 2-1 win over Girona has stirred controversy across Spain. Flick was sent off after celebrating Ronald Araujo’s 93rd-minute winner with an emotional gesture that referee Jesus Gil Manzano deemed unsporting. The German, already booked earlier for protesting stoppage time decisions, was shown a second yellow for what was described as a “provocative gesture” from the sidelines.

The red card means Flick will be forced to watch next weekend’s El Clasico from the stands, unless Barcelona’s appeal succeeds. The coach admitted "have to change my behaviour," saying he did not want his grandchildren to see him behaving that way. “I don’t like seeing myself in this state on television, and I don’t want my grandchildren to see their grandfather like that,” Flick reflected after the match.

He explained the incident stemmed purely from passion and not provocation. “Maybe I should control my impulses, but I love Barca, Barcelona, and its people, and that’s why I always give my all,” he said.

Sporting director Deco strongly backed Flick after the game, confirming Barca will appeal the decision while criticising what he described as a pattern of unfair treatment. "The manager said he hadn't insulted anyone," Deco said to reporters. "We're sure to appeal Flick's sending-off. The referees are always more rigorous against us, they push the limits much further. Winning against Barça is always more complicated, but it gives you greater satisfaction. We fought hard against many things. It won't be an excuse, whatever the result against Madrid. We're not going to get into that. There are very strict things against us."

He further stressed that the club will handle the issue formally. “We’ll do what we have to do on a legal level,” he added, making it clear that Barça will not let the matter rest quietly.

Deco defended Flick’s emotional reaction, calling it normal in football. "I saw very little. Too much importance is given to these things. It's a moment of euphoria, it's almost impossible to contain yourself. I'm hoarse because I called," he said. "There's no one who loves Barca who wouldn't celebrate such a goal with euphoria. Flick has always been a restrained person, he's a balanced person. There are moments of euphoria... this is football. The manager is still a very balanced person. It's normal, and all the players were seen celebrating like crazy. Scoring a goal in the 94th minute with your defender playing as a striker is not normal."

Speaking ahead of Barca’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos, Flick reflected on how his emotional connection with the club has altered his personality. “Maybe my emotions aren’t the same as before,” he admitted. “I remember when I was coach of Bayern Munich, the footage of the match against Barca showed that I had the same reaction to the first, second, and eighth goals. People said I never smiled! Right now, I’m showing more emotion, it’s true, because this club has completely changed me.”

The 60-year-old coach added that his passion comes from his deepening bond with Barcelona. “I wasn’t complaining at the referee, but he saw it that way and that’s something I have to accept,” Flick said, distancing himself from claims of disrespect towards the officials.

Barca president Joan Laporta also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that refereeing inconsistencies have disadvantaged the club. Without naming Real Madrid directly, Laporta hinted that there was a “white hand” influencing officiating standards against Barcelona. His comments added fuel to the growing debate over perceived refereeing bias in La Liga.

Barca’s attention now turns to their midweek Champions League fixture against Olympiacos at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Flick’s side, who are 16th in the league phase with three points, desperately need a win to avoid slipping further behind in the standings.

The Blaugrana will be without several key players, including Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha, forcing Flick to experiment once again. Reports suggest that Roony Bardghji, Marcus Rashford, and Lamine Yamal could form the front three.

With Clasico looming on Sunday, the pressure is immense, and a win in Europe could restore confidence and calm the storm surrounding Flick’s red card, while a setback could deepen scrutiny ahead of the season’s most crucial week.