Gerard Pique given four-game ban for foul-mouthed ref rant – despite retiring last week

On Nov 16, 2022

Gerard Pique has been handed a four-match ban for his foul mouthed rant towards a referee in his final game for Barcelona.

But the former defender won’t have to serve the suspension as he retired after the game where he let rip at the official who gave him his marching orders. Pique was a substitute in Barca’s match against Osasuna in early November, but he still managed to get sent off when he ran onto the pitch at half-time to verbally attack ref Jesus Gil Manzano for his decision making in the match.

Manzano’s report stated Pique said: “You are the referee who has most screwed Barcelona by some distance. You are a f**king disgrace,” – an allegation that the ex-centre back strongly refutes, the Daily Mail reported. The furious Spanish icon continued to berate the match official in the tunnel as the teams headed to their dressing rooms ahead of the second half.

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And Pique’s outburst has resulted in La Liga officials handing him a four-game ban, meaning he’ll face a lengthy wait to get back on the pitch if he ever has a change of heart about retiring. Pique’s red card came after his former team-mate Robert Lewandowski was also sent off for elbowing opposition player David Garcia in the face, an offence the striker received a three-game ban for.

Pique was given a red card in his final game for Barcelona
(Image: TV GRAB)

He strongly denies the ref’s allegations against him
(Image: Getty Images)

Luckily for Barca, Pique and Lewandowski’s dismissals weren’t detrimental as they managed to win the match 2-1. And Pique won’t be too bothered by the ban because he bid an emotional farewell to the Blaugrana faithful in his final appearance at the Nou Camp a week prior when they faced Almeria.

Do you think the ref made the right decision ban Pique although he’s retired? Let us know in the comments section

But he won’t have to serve the punishment as he’s now retired
(Image: Getty Images)

Pique called time on his career at the age of 35
(Image: Getty Images)

Pique captained his team to a 2-0 win on the night, and received a rapturous applause from Barca fans while walking a lap of honour. He then gave a moving speech in tears, when he insisted he’ll return to the club in future.

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