Betis Player Sergio Canales Faces Four-Game Ban Over Lahoz Remarks
The Verdiblanco club has lodged an appeal following a four-match suspension handed to the Betis midfielder for comments directed at referee Mateu Lahoz after a February clash in Liga action. The sanction, announced in late March, adds a heavy financial penalty and sidelines the Spain international for a significant portion of the season’s run-in. The decision was met with mixed reactions among Betis supporters, who argued that the punishment exceeded the tone of the comments reported during the broadcast of matches earlier in the campaign.
Sergio Canales, a talented playmaker who has spent a large portion of his career in Spain’s top flight, was penalized on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 for an assessment he offered about the officiating in February this year involving Mateu Lahoz. The punishment threatens to keep the former Real Madrid and current Betis captain from appearing for the next four league fixtures alongside Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.
Sergio Canales, sanctioned: why the Betis player is suspended
The sequence goes back to a league meeting held in October 2022 when Betis hosted Cádiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla. The match finished in a 0-0 draw and marked Canales’ first ban in a long and storied playing career. The referee for that encounter was Mateu Lahoz, whose decision-making became the central point of the controversy that followed.
Following that October fixture, Lahoz cited two disciplinary issues as grounds for punishment: the initial yellow card was deemed a reaction to comments about refereeing decisions, while the second offense involved reiterating similar remarks after being warned. Those formalities laid the groundwork for a broader dispute that continued into the next year.
Months later, on February 18, 2023, Canales again faced Lahoz during a Betis–Valladolid match at the Benito Villamarín. In that game, Canales wore the captain’s armband and expressed his frustration during the draw, with observers noting a tense exchange on the field. After the bout against Valladolid, Canales spoke publicly about the earlier red card Lahoz had shown him in October, voicing his stance in a manner that drew significant attention.
Speaking to DAZN, Canales clarified his position, describing his approach as calm and measured. He explained that as captain he chose not to engage directly with the official, insisting that his words were a response to the earlier events rather than an act of disrespect. He asserted that Lahoz’s October red card was, in his view, part of a pattern he did not intend to challenge aggressively. He emphasized that his aim had been to communicate a personal assessment rather than to undermine the legitimacy of the referee’s decisions.
Just over a month later, the league’s disciplinary body reviewed the statements and imposed a four-match suspension, along with a monetary fine. The ruling drew criticism from Betis supporters and personnel who believed the punishment was disproportionate, prompting the club to announce an appeal after examining the penalties assessed for the remarks about Mateu Lahoz.
Betis is appealing against Canales’ sanction
In a statement issued through Betis’ official channels, the club confirmed that it would challenge the four-match ban before the RFEF appeal committee. The message underscored the club’s stand with Canales, signaling unity in the bid to overturn the sanction and allow the midfielder to contribute on the field once again. The club’s communication reflected a broader sentiment among fans who felt the punishment did not align with the severity of the comments and the context in which they were made.
Which games would Canales miss?
If the four-match penalty stands, Canales would miss a critical stretch of fixtures for Betis. The schedule could keep him off the pitch for clashes with Athletic Bilbao away, Cádiz at home, RCD Espanyol at home, and Osasuna on the road. Such an absence would reduce Betis’ options in midfield and force coach Manuel Pellegrini to reshuffle his plans ahead of a pivotal period in the campaign. The longer-term impact might be felt in the race to secure a top-four finish or a spot in European competition the following season. If the sanction is overturned, the midfielder would be available again for the league fixture against Real Sociedad, a potentially decisive game in late April that could influence Betis’ position in the table.
Note: all developments remain subject to the ongoing appeals process and the final ruling by the governing bodies overseeing La Liga and the national federation.
Source: Goal