Bernal Suspended for Four Games After Clash With Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal

Real Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal has been banned for four games after headbutting Barcelona's Lamine Yamal during a 5-2 defeat at the weekend.

The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee announced the punishment on Wednesday. Bernal was sent off in the 54th minute, just after Betis had pulled the score back to 3-2.

According to the committee's report, the 23-year-old Uruguayan grabbed Yamal by the neck and headbutted him twice while the ball was out of play. Bans for that kind of behaviour run from four to 12 games, so Bernal got the lowest penalty allowed. Yamal was booked in the same row for pushing Bernal before the red card came out.

The sending off killed Betis off. Barcelona used the extra man to score three unanswered goals, and Yamal set up the third for Gabriel Jesus.

Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo was also punished. He got a two-game ban and a fine for conduct against good sporting order.

Bernal will miss league games against Celta Vigo, Malaga and Elche. He will also sit out the derby with Sevilla on November 22. It is a blow to Betis's midfield at a key point in the season, with the club fourth in La Liga on 19 points.

Betis face Feyenoord in the Champions League on Wednesday night.