FC Andorra Host Las Palmas Amid Coach Ban and Sanctions Before Record-Breaking Chase

FC Andorra face Las Palmas on Sunday at 2pm in Encamp's Nou Estadi de la FAF, with the Tricolors needing five more points from their final four games to surpass their club-record 59 points from the 2022-23 season. Currently tenth with 55 points, they sit eight points from the play-offs after last week's 1-0 defeat to Albacete.

The buildup has been overshadowed by sanctions stemming from post-match incidents involving referee Alonso de Ena Wolf. Head coach Carles Manso is banned for one match, along with assistant Daniel Ortiz, Enrique Agudo, Jonathan Barreal and delegate Cristian Lanzarote. Aitor Yeto, the fitness coach, will lead from the bench. Club owner Gerard Piqué and Jaume Nogués face six-match bans and two months' ineligibility, while president Ferran Vilaseca received four months' suspension. The club must also pay a 1,500 euro fine and close the presidential box and VIP areas for two games after the RFEF Appeal Committee rejected their urgent request to suspend the penalties on Friday. Andorra plan to file a full appeal against the disciplinary rulings within the 10-day window.

In Friday's pre-match press conference, Manso urged the team to move on from the controversy. He acknowledged media scrutiny due to Piqué's profile amplifies incidents but stressed the loss to Albacete resulted from broader issues, not just the late stages or officiating. "We must learn and improve so it doesn't happen again," he said, adding the club should assert itself "as just another Segunda División side, big or small." The squad has maintained normality in the dressing room, he noted.

Las Palmas, fourth with 66 points and five behind second-placed Deportivo, chase automatic promotion after three straight wins. Their coach Luis García praised Andorra's "excellent season" and attractive style. Both teams favour offensive, proactive football, Manso predicted, promising an "open, exciting match."

Andorra absences include suspended Aingeru Olabarrieta and injured Édgar González, Jastin García and Lautaro de León. Gael Alende, Alende, Imanol and Marc Domènech are one booking from a ban. Las Palmas miss Jonathan Viera (illness), Barcia, Sandro, Recoba and Loiodice, with Álex Suárez and Herzog doubtful.

Probable line-ups: **FC Andorra:** Owono; Carrique, Gael Alonso, Alende, Martí Vila; Molina, Marc Domènech, Villahermosa; Minsu, Cerdà, Marc Cardona. Coach: Aitor Yeto. **Las Palmas:** Horkas; Viti Rozada, Álex Suárez, Mármol, Clemente; Amatucci, Kirian, Fuster; Estanis, Miyashiro, Jesé. Coach: Luis García.

Referee: Carlos Muñiz Muñoz (Aragonese).