Barcelona are not used to losing. They are even less used to chasing a four-goal deficit to avoid defeat.
Once the Champions League winners realised they would not be producing comeback miracles in the Spanish Super Cup after losing the first leg 4-0 to Athletic Club, the tie took on a nasty streak.
The referee and his officials were castigated, Barca players lumped into tackles and engaged in afters with Bilbao players.
The most vile piece of abuse arrived 55 minutes into the match as Barca unsuccessfully appealed for an offside. Their calls went in vain and, upon conceding a corner kick, Gerard Pique marched towards the linesman.
He exclaimed, “Me cago en tu puta madre [I s*** on your w**** of a mother].”
The former Manchester United defender received his marching orders and was escorted from the pitch.
Bilbao scored soon after and denied the Blaugrana their sixth trophy in a calendar year.
Pique will be banned for a minimum of four games but it could well be 12 if the LFP, which runs La Liga, takes a dim view of his abuse.
So Pique was supposedly sent off because he told linesman that he defecates on his mother, who is a lady of the night. Words to that effect.
— Andy West (@andywest01) August 17, 2015
The serious point about Pique getting himself sent off is that he could well get a lengthy La Liga ban, including Atletico away.
— Andy West (@andywest01) August 17, 2015
Pique has really matured a lot in the last couple of years. Was great last season. Tonight was a costly regression.
— Andy West (@andywest01) August 17, 2015
