Barcelona captain Raphinha warned referee Juan Martínez Munuera about Sevilla's physicality during the La Liga match that ended in a 1-3 home defeat for the Andalusian club. The Brazilian, who scored a hat-trick, expressed concern about Sevilla's blocking and holding tactics at the Sánchez Pizjuán.
Audio from the referee's microphone, released later, captured the exchange. Raphinha told Martínez Munuera to be alert to the blocks and the holding because they were going to break their backs. The official replied, "Yes, we are controlling it and in fact we have seen it and I have told them as well."
The match, from the seventh round of fixtures, left Sevilla in fifth place in the standings with 13 points. The defeat to the leaders leaves them eight points adrift in the title race. Quique Sánchez Flores's side now looks to bounce back in their next fixture, a visit to 17th-placed Levante on October 12.
In the clash on September 19, Youssouf Fofana put Sevilla ahead in the 19th minute, but Raphinha's hat-trick-with goals from his right foot, head, and left foot-turned the score around. This result is part of a recent run of two wins, one draw, and two defeats for the Seville-based team.
Referee Martínez Munuera specifically mentioned Fofana in relation to a foul near Sevilla's area, indicating that by penalising one or two such incidents the physical play could be stopped. Sevilla now heads into the international break with the confirmed absence of Rubén Vargas, whose status can be followed in the injuries section. The team needs to find greater defensive consistency after conceding nine goals in seven league games.
The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo
