Gerard Piqué, the legendary former Barcelona defender and current owner of FC Andorra, has been handed a six-match suspension and a two-month ban from acting as the club's owner following a heated confrontation with a match official earlier this month.
The incident occurred during a tense 1-0 home defeat to Albacete on May 1st, when Piqué reportedly stormed towards the referee in frustration. According to the Spanish football federation, the 37-year-old was quoted as telling the official: "In another country, they would tear you apart, but here in Andorra we are a civilized country."
FC Andorra itself didn't escape punishment either, receiving a €1,500 fine and a partial stadium closure for two matches. The club currently sits 10th in Spain's second division standings, a remarkable achievement considering where they were just a few years ago.
Piqué and his investment group took over FC Andorra in 2018 when the club was languishing in the fifth division. Founded in 1942, the small club based in the Pyrenean nation between Spain and France had historically played in the lower tiers before this ambitious takeover.
For those who follow football, Piqué's competitive fire is nothing new. The center-back spent 14 trophy-laden years at Barcelona (2008-2022) after starting his senior career at Manchester United. During his time at the Nou Camp, he won La Liga nine times and the Champions League on three occasions. On the international stage, he played a crucial role in Spain's golden era, helping them win Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup—his nation's first global triumph.
Since retiring in 2022, Piqué has shifted his focus to football ownership and innovation. He's now president and owner of the Kings League in Barcelona, a groundbreaking football league featuring owners from social media platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Off the pitch, Piqué made headlines for his 12-year relationship with Colombian pop star Shakira, with whom he shares two sons, Milan and Sasha. The couple announced their separation in a joint statement in June 2022.
This suspension serves as a reminder that even football legends can't escape the consequences of heated moments—whether on the pitch or in the boardroom.