Gerard Pique, the former FC Barcelona star who now owns Spanish second-division club FC Andorra, has been handed a significant disciplinary punishment by the Spanish football authorities. The decision comes after a contentious match in the Segunda Division where his team suffered a narrow defeat.
The incident occurred following Andorra's 0-1 loss to Albacete in their 38th-round fixture. According to reports, Pique, along with other members of the club's staff, confronted the match referee, Alonso De Ena Wolf, after the final whistle. The confrontation reportedly involved threats and harsh criticism of the official's performance during the game.
The Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee reviewed the match official's report and subsequently issued a multi-part punishment. Pique himself received a six-match suspension from all Segunda Division activities. This ban specifically relates to what the committee classified as a 'minor aggression towards the match officials.'
In addition to the match ban, Pique has been barred from attending any football matches for a period of two months. This separate sanction was imposed for 'flagrant and public actions that undermine sporting dignity and decorum.' The distinction between the two punishments highlights the severity with which the authorities viewed the post-match behavior.
The club itself did not escape punishment. FC Andorra has been fined €1,500 for the incident. Furthermore, the team's home stadium will be subject to a partial closure for two upcoming matches, meaning a portion of the stands will be unavailable to spectators.
Pique, who retired from professional playing in 2022 after a decorated career with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has been involved in the ownership and management of FC Andorra since 2018. The club competes in Spain's second tier, the Segunda Division, following its promotion in recent years.
The suspension means Pique will be unable to participate in any official capacity for his club during the upcoming fixtures, while the stadium closure will impact the team's matchday revenue and atmosphere. The incident serves as a reminder of the strict behavioral standards expected of club officials and owners in professional football.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.