FC Andorra co-owner and former Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has been hit with a two-month disqualification from all football-related activities and a six-game ban, following a disciplinary ruling by Spain’s football governing body. The RFEF took action after examining the match official’s report from Andorra’s second-tier league fixture against Albacete.
RFEF Disciplines Pique Following Albacete Fixture
Spain’s football federation has imposed formal sanctions on Pique in connection with events that unfolded during FC Andorra‘s Segunda División encounter with Albacete. The former Spanish international has been barred from football activities for two months and suspended for six matches.
The ruling came after the RFEF Discipline Committee reviewed the official account submitted by referee Alonso de Ena Wolf, which documented Pique’s conduct throughout and after the game at the Estadi Nacional. Andorra suffered a 1-0 loss in the fixture. According to the report, Pique made his way to the officiating team on two separate occasions — at the interval and at the final whistle. The committee determined that his actions exceeded acceptable disciplinary boundaries, with the formal sanctions announced on Wednesday.
Alleged Remarks Outlined in Official Referee Account
The referee’s written report, submitted by Ena Wolf, alleged that Pique directed provocative statements at the officiating crew. The document claims the former defender issued a warning to the officials regarding their personal safety as they exited the pitch.
The report attributed the following words to Pique: “Leave with an escort, they might attack you.” He was also alleged to have remarked: “In another country they would beat you up, but here in Andorra we are a civilized country.” The disciplinary panel categorized these statements as constituting “mild violence” directed at match officials. FC Andorra’s sporting director Jaume Nogues was additionally penalized as part of the same ruling.
Club Disputes Referee’s Version as Wider Sanctions Imposed
FC Andorra has formally contested the referee’s account of what transpired. Through an official club statement, the organization maintained that the events described in the referee’s annex did not unfold as reported, and confirmed its intention to submit evidence in Pique‘s defense.
“FC Andorra expresses its strong disagreement with the content of the referee’s report corresponding to the match played against Albacete yesterday, Friday, May 1,” the club stated via its official channels.
“After analysis, the club considers that certain aspects recorded in the report do not truthfully or accurately reflect the development of events or the statements made during the conversations held between the referee and the club’s representatives. In light of this situation, FC Andorra demands that the report be rectified and that an exact transcription of what truly occurred be provided.”
Notwithstanding the club’s objections, the RFEF extended its disciplinary measures beyond individual penalties. The federation mandated the closure of the stadium’s VIP and executive box areas — the sections from which Pique and Nogues customarily oversee matches.
A number of other senior club officials were also subject to sanctions. Club president Ferran Vilaseca was handed a four-month disqualification, while delegate Cristian Lanzarote received a three-match suspension. Head coach Carles Manso, goalkeeper coach Daniel Ortiz, and members of the medical department were likewise handed bans.
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