Gerard Piqué, the former Barcelona centre-back now owner of FC Andorra, has been handed a six-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation following an aggressive confrontation with match officials during his side's 1–0 defeat to Albacete Balompié in the Segunda División. The 39-year-old was found guilty of verbal abuse and threatening behaviour toward the referee and his assistants, though no physical contact occurred.
According to referee Alonso De Ena Wolf's official report, Piqué told the officials: "You'd better leave with an escort so that nothing happens to you. In another country, you'd be finished, but here in Andorra we are a civilised country." The Spanish Football Federation deemed his conduct as "minor violence against the referees" and banned him from all official football activities for two months, citing "obvious and public acts that undermine the dignity and decency of the sport."
Andorra's Response and Club Dispute
Sporting director Jaume Nogues received identical penalties for making offensive remarks during the same incident. However, FC Andorra released a statement strongly rejecting the referee's account, claiming that "certain recorded aspects are neither truthful nor do they accurately reflect the sequence of events or the comments made." The club has demanded the report be corrected and threatened legal action to protect its reputation.
Piqué acquired the financially troubled club in 2018 and appointed himself president. Since joining Spain's second division in 2025, Andorra has struggled in the standings, currently positioned tenth with four matches remaining. The suspension places additional scrutiny on the club's leadership during a critical phase of their season, with questions looming about management stability in the competitive Segunda División.
