Gerard Pique: Barcelona legend faced long ban for savage comments to ref in final game | OneFootball

Gerard Pique has avoided a potential six-match ban after being sent off during his last ever game in professional football.

The 35-year-old, who said an emotional goodbye to Barcelona fans at Camp Nou on Saturday night, wasn’t even on the pitch against Osasuna when he received his final red card.

Named among the substitutes by Barça head coach Xavi, Pique was shown a straight red card by referee Jesus Gil Manzano as the teams left the pitch at the end of the first half.

Why was Pique sent off in his final Barcelona game?

Footage showed Pique remonstrating with the referee at the end of the opening 45 minutes.

It was unclear what exactly Pique had said to the match official, although the referee’s report shows the legendary defender can have no complaints with the decision.

What did Pique say to the referee?

Per Spanish football writer Samuel Marsden, Pique is alleged to have said:  “Have you seen the corner [for the Osasuna goal]? You are the referee that has f***ed us the most by a distance. You are a f***king disgrace, go f*** yourself.”

Sid Lowe, another Spanish football writer, adds that Pique’s last words as a footballer were: “I s*** on your prostitute mother.”

Charming.

Per COPE, Pique would have received a six-match ban for his x-rated comments directed towards Gil Manzano.

But because he’s now officially a retired player, Pique will not serve a suspension – unless he has a sudden change of heart and decides to continue his playing career elsewhere.

Something similar happened to Zinedine Zidane after his infamous red card for France in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy.

The legendary midfielder received a three-match ban for his headbutt on Marco Materazzi – a ban that he’ll never need to serve.

BERLIN – JULY 09: Zinedine Zidane of France removes his captains armband to give to teammate Fabien Barthez after being sent off during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

What did Pique do after his final Barcelona game?

Pique, who was expected to come on in the second half, posed alongside Robert Lewandowski in the away dressing room after the match.

Lewandowski was also sent off in the first half but 10-man Barcelona still managed to come from 1-0 down to secure an important 2-1 victory thanks to second-half goals from Pedri and Raphinha.

The win leaves Barcelona five points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. However, Madrid will reduce the gap back to two points if they defeat Cadiz on Thursday night.

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