RFEF confirms Sangante’s straight red (Sevilla)

The RFEF Disciplinary Committee has upheld the straight red shown to Arouna Sangante in Sevilla’s game against Espanyol after rejecting the club’s appeal, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The decision means the sanction stands: one match of suspension, which Sevilla states Sangante will serve this Friday against Valencia. The Committee ratifies the referee’s call, Sesma Espinosa, following the VAR review.

Sevilla’s appeal

Sevilla submitted video evidence of the incident between Sangante and Roberto, arguing that while there is a punishable contact, it does not automatically justify a sending off because, in their view, the objective elements for a “clear goal-scoring opportunity” were not present. The club also claims Sangante plays the ball and removes it from the opponent’s reach before the contact.

But the Committee does not accept that interpretation. Its ruling states that the footage does not allow a clear determination that the action described in the referee’s report did not occur, and it says it cannot replace the referee’s judgment regarding both the infraction and whether a “clear goal-scoring opportunity” existed.

Missing Valencia

The call follows the anger shown after the match. Luis García Plaza said the incident was “clear” and “not a red,” adding that “football is much simpler,” with Alexis Trujillo confirming the decision at VAR.

With the ban confirmed, Sangante will miss this Friday’s match vs Valencia. Sevilla also notes that he has a mild sprain in his right ankle and is training apart from the rest of the squad, per Mundo Deportivo. The club, as reported, will not file an additional appeal.