GERARD PIQUE was sent off in his final Barcelona game… despite not even making it onto the pitch.
The Spaniard penned an emotional farewell to Barcelona fans after announcing his retirement last week.
But his time at the club has ended in controversy after he got sent off in the tunnel at half-time of Barcelona’s game against Osasuna.
Pique, who was named among the substitutes, was furious with a decision to send off Robert Lewandowski during the first half and had a heated conversation with the ref which continued into the tunnel.
He was then sent off for his remonstrating – denying him the chance to make his last ever Barcelona appearance.
According to referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s report, Pique said: ”You are the referee who has most screwed Barcelona by some distance.
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“You are a f***ing disgrace.”
The match official has previously sent off Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in his career.
Team-mate Lewandowski was shown a red card after 31 minutes following a shocking elbow as he challenged for a header.
The Pole was motoring forward to challenge Osasuna’s David Garcia in an aerial duel.
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But amazingly, having already been yellow carded, Lewandowski kept his eyes on the player and not the ball as he leapt high into the air.
He then received his marching orders just after the half hour mark.
Barcelona went into the break a goal down thanks to Garcia’s 11th minute strike for Osasuna.
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But despite being down to 10-men and not having Pique to call upon, Barcelona managed to win the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Pedri and Raphinha.
Pique and Xavi were in tears as the former Manchester United star received an incredible ovation in his last ever game at the Nou Camp at the weekend.
He played 85 minutes of the game and walked onto the pitch with his sons Milan and Sasha who were mascots for their dad’s big day.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
