Jesús Gil Manzano's catalogue of errors in the Barça-Girona match

Published New:18/10/2025 - 23:31h

Updated New:18/10/2025 - 23:31h

Jesús Gil Manzano had a complicated afternoon in Montjuïc. The referee from Extremadura made several mistakes in the second half that almost cost Barça 2 points against Girona (2-1)

FC Barcelona snatched a victory in the final moments against Girona (2-1) despite the disastrous refereeing performance by Jesús Gil Manzano. The head referee completed a first half without incident, but in the second half, he messed things up with a couple of controversial decisions that could well have cost the Azulgrana team the victory.

The referee from Extremadura overlooked a clear foul by Vitor Reis on Marcus Rashford as the Englishman entered the opponent's area, which, in addition to a possible penalty, warranted a red card for the Brazilian center-back. Ultimately, the one who ended up being sent off was Hansi Flick for a gesture of protest that did not deserve a greater punishment.

Flick, Expelled and Without the Right to Apologize

Barça loses Hansi Flick for El Clásico: Gil Manzano sent off the manager against Girona

The Barça coach made a disapproving gesture with his hands when the match's added time was announced (only 4 minutes). Although both teams used up their 5 substitutions and there were a couple of interruptions, Gil Manzano preferred to shorten the added time on a very rainy day in Montjuïc.

In the post-match press conference, Flick, who will certainly miss the Clásico due to suspension, said that he tried to speak with the referee on the way to the locker rooms. However, the 41-year-old referee ignored the German coach's calls.

"He has gone his way and I couldn't. I accept the referee's decisions, he makes the decisions. What I have done had nothing to do with him. If he doesn't want to talk to me, it doesn't sadden me, I accept it," argued the Barça coach.

Flick gave the finger after Ronald Araujo's goal in the 90+3rd minute. Luckily, the referee didn't include the gesture in his report, as the coach could have faced up to 6 match suspension if the referee had interpreted the celebration as a provocation.

According to the official record, Jesús Gil Manzano sent off Hansi Flick in the 90th minute for a double booking. The reasons for the cards were:

Applauding one of the referee's decisions as a form of protest.
After receiving the warning, making gestures with his hands in a sign of disapproval.

Gil Manzano Let Vitor Reis Off With a Very Clear Red Card

Previously, in the 71st minute, the referee from Extremadura overlooked a slap to the face from Vitor Reis to Marcus Rashford. The '14' was entering the area in a clear goal-scoring opportunity, for which the Girona defender should have been sent off with a straight red card.

Furthermore, it was necessary to review exactly where the slap occurred, as the aggression appeared to have taken place inside the area. In that case, the decision pointed to a penalty and expulsion.

But Gil Manzano, instead, signaled a foul by Rashford in attack. Juan Luis Pulido, from VAR, didn't even call the main referee to recommend reviewing the play. Where Gil Manzano did get it right was in disallowing a goal by Pau Cubarsí in the 61st minute, due to a prior foul by Eric García on Hugo Rincón.