Pique given two-month ban after row with referee

Breaking news from the world of sport: Pique given two-month ban after row with refereeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Gerard Pique retired from playing in 2022ByFfion WynneBBC Sport journalistPublished7 minutes agoGerard Pique has been given a two-month ban by the Spanish football federation after an argument with a referee. The former Spain and Barcelona star, who retired from playing in 2022, is now co-owner of FC Andorra and the dispute took place during his side's 1-0 defeat by Albacete last week.

Referee Alonso de Ena Wolf quoted Pique in his post-match report, saying that he told him to "leave with an escort so nobody attacks you" and "in another country they would beat you up, but here in Andorra we are a civilised country". A disciplinary committee said that Pique's ban is "for notorious and public acts that undermine sporting dignity and decorum, based on the facts recorded in the referee's report".

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Other members of Andorra's staff were also involved in the confrontation. Club president Ferran Vilaseca was issued a four-month suspension, while the sporting director Jaume Nogues was banned.

Andorra are currently 10th in the second division table. Pique won nine La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with Barcelona, and was part of Spain's World Cup and European Championship wins in 2010 and 2012.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.