Spanish FA hands Piqué two-month ban after referee dispute

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Former FC Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué has been handed a two-month suspension by the Spanish football federation following a confrontation with a referee.

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Piqué, who retired from professional football in 2022 and is now co-owner of FC Andorra, was involved in the incident after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Albacete Balompié last week.

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As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, according to referee Alonso de Ena Wolf’s report, the former defender made threatening remarks after the match, allegedly telling the official to “leave with an escort so nobody attacks you” and adding that “in another country they would beat you up, but here in Andorra we are a civilised country.”

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A disciplinary committee said the ban was imposed “for notorious and public acts that undermine sporting dignity and decorum,” citing details contained in the referee’s report.

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The altercation also led to sanctions for other members of the club’s leadership.

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FC Andorra president Ferran Vilaseca was given a four-month suspension, while sporting director Jaume Nogués was also banned.

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FC Andorra are currently 10th in Spain’s second division standings.

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During his playing career, Piqué won nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies with Barcelona, and was part of the Spain national football team squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

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