´I´m not a clown in a circus´ – Sevilla boss Almeyda blasts referee after Madrid red card

Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda lamented “very bad” referee Alejandro Muniz following his red card against Real Madrid, insisting “I’m not a clown in a circus”.

Almeyda was shown a second yellow card at half-time during his side’s 2-0 defeat at Santiago Bernabeu.

The head coach had received his first yellow card for protesting the decision-making of the official, who also dismissed Sevilla defender Marcao midway through the second half.

However, Almeyda was adamant he had not verbally abused Muniz, urging audio recordings of the incident to be released.

“I’m not a clown in a circus,” he told reporters during his post-match press conference. “I have a history in football. I have my history as a man.

Happy birthday, Mati

Here’s to many more years together @peladoalmeyda!pic.twitter.com/4KrJybKIPw

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) December 21, 2025

“[The red card] hurts me, and I’m obliged to talk about it, because they’ll say that I insulted the referee.

“The referee was very bad. I congratulate Real Madrid on their victory. I’m not saying they benefited from it. But I’m against how bad the refereeing was. That’s why I was sent off.

“[The referee] said they were tired of me speaking to them with disrespect. If there’s a lack of respect, let’s hear it. If there’s rudeness, let’s hear it. I have values.”