Pique could be punished for Espanyol celebration, says Tebas

La Liga president Javier Tebas has said Gerard Pique could be punished for his celebration after scoring a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Sunday.

Pique raised his fingers to his lips and explained after the game that “it was the least I could do” as supporters have continually insulted him and his family.

Unsurprisingly Tebas disagrees, claims there had been no insults directed at Pique’s family until that moment and that he could face a punishment for his actions.

“The committee will rule if the gesture is punishable, but we will take it to them for them to make a decision,” he said.

”The regulations make it possible that certain ways of celebrating goals can be considered a provocation.

”We have to highlight the fact Espanyol worked well and until that moment, Pique’s goal, there was not a single insult aimed at Pique’s family, which is something La Liga was worried about.

”His provocative gesture made the fans react and come out with intolerable insults.

“It’s been done [the celebration] before but on few occasions has it generated widespread irritation. We should avoid celebrations that irritate people.”

Source | Sport

Reports are suggesting that Pique could be be banned for anything up to three games if his actions are found to be provocative, although he is expected to miss the next few games with a knee injury.

Tebas’s comments will only inflame the situation though and to suggest there were no insults hurled at Pique until his celebration is really quite something.

Source: barcablaugranes.com