Gerard Pique has received a two-month disqualification and six-match suspension following a confrontation with match officials during Andorra's 1-0 Segunda Division defeat to Albacete. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the sanctions after reviewing referee Alonso de Ena Wolf's report from the clash at Estadi Nacional.
The disciplinary committee determined that Pique's conduct during and after the match violated conduct standards. According to the referee's documentation, the former Barcelona centre-back approached officials at half-time and full-time, allegedly directing inflammatory remarks toward the officiating team. The report claimed Pique warned the referees about their safety, stating they should leave with an escort because people might attack them, and suggested they would face physical violence in other countries.
Club Disputes Referee's Account
FC Andorra has strongly rejected the referee's version of events. In an official statement, the club argued that aspects of the report did not accurately reflect what transpired and announced plans to challenge the decision with supporting evidence. The club demanded the report be corrected to reflect the true sequence of events and statements made during conversations with officials.
The disciplinary measures extended beyond Pique individually. The RFEF also sanctioned sporting director Jaume Nogues, while club president Ferran Vilaseca received a four-month disqualification and delegate Cristian Lanzarote was handed a three-match ban. Manager Carles Manso, goalkeeper coach Daniel Ortiz, and medical staff members also received suspensions. Additionally, the federation ordered closure of the stadium's VIP and box sections where club officials typically oversee matches.
This incident adds to Andorra's growing disciplinary concerns this season. The club has accumulated over $47,000 in fines due to recurring conduct issues, placing increased scrutiny on the project spearheaded by Pique, the 38-year-old former Spain international. As Andorra moves forward with their appeal process, the club will need to navigate both the immediate match absences and broader questions about organizational discipline as they compete in Spain's second tier.
