Barcelona’s season continues to be shaped by fine margins, where moments of brilliance and discipline often define entire competitions.
High-stakes clashes against familiar rivals have once again put every refereeing call under the microscope.
With trophies already decided by single incidents this campaign, emotions have regularly spilled over in decisive moments.
Hansi Flick has stressed the importance of control in pressure situations, especially in knockout competitions.
That message has now been reinforced by an official ruling that carries immediate consequences for the Blaugrana.
The Spanish Football Federation has confirmed, relayed by Mundo Deportivo, that Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will serve a one-match suspension following his dismissal against Real Madrid.
The Netherlands international was sent off in the 90th minute of the Spanish Super Cup final after committing a foul on Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
The decision, made by on-field referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, was reviewed but not overturned by VAR official Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez.
That incident has now resulted in formal punishment, with the RFEF handing Frenkie de Jong a one-game ban.
In its official verdict, the sole judge for the non-professional competitions of the RFEF stated: “One match suspension for acting violently in the course of play or as a direct consequence of an incident therein, with an additional fine in application of Article 52.”
The ruling further clarified how the suspension must be served, referencing Article 56 of the Disciplinary Code, which reads: “Suspensions resulting from the Spanish Super Cup, regardless of their severity, shall entail the prohibition to be selected, to play, to access the field of play, the bench and the dressing room, for as many matches as the sanction covers, in the order in which they take place, even if, due to fixture changes, postponements, replays or any other circumstance, the schedule initially established at the start of the competition has been altered.”
As a result, De Jong will not be available for Barcelona’s next competitive fixture, which comes in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
The midfielder will serve the suspension next Thursday when Barcelona travel to Santander to face Racing Santander in a single-elimination tie.
The absence comes as a setback for Flick, who has relied on De Jong’s composure and ball progression in key moments this season.
Despite the suspension, there is some relief for Barcelona supporters, as De Jong will be available for league action.
The Dutch midfielder is cleared to feature in next Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Sociedad, a fixture that could prove significant in the domestic title race.
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