Isaac Romero sent off for silence gesture as Sevilla draw 3-3 with Levante

Isaac Romero was sent off in the 90th minute and five seconds of Sevilla’s 3-3 draw at Levante on 13 October after the referee deemed his goal-celebration gesture — placing his index finger to his lips towards home supporters — provocative enough to warrant a second yellow card.

Referee Adrián Cordero Vega’s official report, cited by Mundo Deportivo, states that Romero had already been booked for a foul earlier in the match. When the striker turned to the Levante crowd and made the silence gesture after scoring Sevilla’s 2-3 goal, Cordero Vega issued a second caution, triggering an automatic dismissal. The report also noted a minor administrative correction: an initial version had logged the caution in the 90th minute, but an annex attributed that to a typographical error and revised the time to 90 minutes and five seconds, confirming it followed the goal.

Under IFAB Law 12, a caution can be issued for a goal celebration that is considered provocative or exuberant, and Mundo Deportivo notes that Cordero Vega applied that provision to Romero’s gesture.

The celebration also triggered a reaction from the home supporters. The referee’s report records that Levante fans threw plastic bottles, cups and other objects towards the area where Sevilla players were celebrating. Cordero Vega noted that none of the objects struck anyone, and officials activated the first step of the protocol for thrown objects before resuming play following a stadium announcement.

Mundo Deportivo estimates that Levante could face a minor fine of up to €602 based on the language of the report, though that figure is the outlet’s own assessment and no sanction has been confirmed. The report documents the crowd incident and the disciplinary response during the match but stops short of confirming any ruling against the club or a suspension length for Romero. Both questions remain open pending further action from La Liga’s disciplinary committee.

The incident adds to a broader period of scrutiny over refereeing and disciplinary decisions in La Liga, with several high-profile calls in recent weeks drawing debate over VAR usage and the application of the laws of the game.