The Disciplinary Committee Sanctions Harshly after Andorra-Albacete: Piqué, Vilaseca and Nogués, in the Arbitration Focus

Serious Alterations in the Changing Room Tunnel and Parking Trigger Significant Sanctions for FC Andorra

This Wednesday's day has been crucial for the Disciplinary Committee, which has issued forceful resolutions after the incidents that occurred last Friday during the match between Andorra and Albacete. Gerard Piqué's actions, which we already announced on Tuesday, have been complemented with sanctions for the sports director, the president of the Andorran club, and a member of the coaching staff, Christian Lanzarote. The decisions reflect the seriousness of the facts reported in the arbitration report.

After the end of the game, tension escalated in the locker room tunnel. According to the referee's report, Cristian Lanzarote Abenoza, a member of the Andorran coaching staff, addressed the first assistant by saying the phrase “You are the worst assistant in the category” on up to five occasions. Shortly afterwards, while the referee team was heading to their locker room, FC Andorra's sports director, Jaume Nogués, rebuked the main referee. His words, recorded in the minutes, were: “You have expressly brought it to us despite writing a letter to the federation” and “You scoundrels!”

The incidents did not stop when they left the stadium. As detailed last Sunday, the referee report expanded the description of the altercations that occurred while the referee team was heading to the parking lot. On this occasion, Gerard Piqué and Jaume Nogués accompanied the group, expressing continuous protests about the party's decisions. At one point, Piqué uttered the phrase: “Go out under escort so they won't attack you,” suggesting a climate of hostility.

The situation became even more tense in the parking area. The president of FC Andorra, Ferran Vilaseca, made an appearance there, who according to the report, tried to attack the Reporting Delegate. The record describes how Vilaseca approached to within a few centimeters, pushing him with his chest, making a fist and raising it with the clear intention of hitting, being finally stopped by the intervention of the public force.

The last chapter of this unfortunate sequence took place just before the referee team left the parking lot in their vehicle. Jaume Nogués addressed them with the threatening phrase: “I hope you have an accident.” Gerard Piqué closed the intervention with a comment to the Informative Delegate: “In another country they would blow you up but here in Andorra we are a civilized country.” During all this time, the local Delegate, Cristian Lanzarote, remained present, dedicating himself to comments that, according to the minutes, increased the existing tension and without fulfilling his mediation functions.

The consequences of these acts have been severe. President Ferran Vilaseca has been sanctioned with four months of disqualification for attacking referees. Jaume Nogués, sports director, receives the same sanction as Gerard Piqué: six-game suspension and two months of disqualification. For his part, Cristian Lanzarote has been sanctioned with three matches for an attitude of contempt and a two-month suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who has been sanctioned after the Andorra-Albacete match? Those sanctioned are Gerard Piqué, Jaume Nogués, Ferran Vilaseca and Cristian Lanzarote.
What is the sanction for Gerard Piqué? Six-game suspension and disqualification for two months.
What sanction does the president of FC Andorra, Ferran Vilaseca, receive? Four months of disqualification for attacking referees.
What is the sanction for the sports director, Jaume Nogués? Six-game suspension and disqualification for two months, the same as Piqué.
Why has Cristian Lanzarote been sanctioned? For an attitude of contempt and for increasing tension, receiving a three-game suspension and two months of disqualification.
Where did the main incidents occur? The incidents took place in the locker room tunnel and in the stadium parking area.
What is Ferran Vilaseca accused of? Attempted assault on the Reporting Delegate, pushing him and raising his fist with the intention of hitting.
What comments are included in the minutes of Piqué and Nogués? Piqué said: “Go out under escort so they won't attack you” and “In another country they would blow you up but here in Andorra we are a civilized country.” Nogués pronounced: “I hope you have an accident.”
What role did Cristian Lanzarote have in the incidents? According to the minutes, he made comments that increased the existing tension.
When was this resolution made public? The Disciplinary Committee issued the sanctions this Wednesday, complementing those of Gerard Piqué announced on Tuesday.