Referee suspended for error in Barcelona game

Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz has been suspended for making a "technical error" during the La Liga clash between Sevilla and Barcelona.

The Spanish Football Association penalised the official for wrongfully sending off Gary Medel during Barca's 3-2 victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

"On one hand, there is no aggression in the strictest sense. It was a struggle between two rival players, who brought together their heads and it did not lead to a clearly violent event," read a statement from the Spanish FA. "On the other side, the rival player has clearly exaggerated the effect of the struggle, feigning to have received a violent headbutt. Yet, Gary Medel was sent off as if he were guilty of a violent act.

"Consequently, a clear technical error is apparent as the facts of the case do not warrant the punishment given."

Lahoz has received a one-game ban and will sit out the La Liga contest between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo as a result.