Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has faulted the referee’s decision to issue Lionel Messi a red card following his side’s defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup.
The Argentine was shown a straight red card after he reportedly pushed Asier Villalibre, who appeared to have bumped into his way.
It was Messi’s first-ever red card in his Barcelona career in his 753rd match for the club, but Koeman has said it was normal for a player to react in such a manner when kicked on several occasions.
He said, as cited in Daily Mail: “I can understand what Messi did. “I don’t know how many times they fouled him, and it’s normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”
Lionel Messi was not in action when Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad in the semi-final of the competition due to injury, but Koeman stated that he asked the Argentine if he was fit enough for the final.
He added: I spoke with him and he said he was fit enough to start the game.” As a straight red card for violent conduct, Messi is likely to miss the next four domestic matches.
Messi could be issued a further four-game ban depending on the Spanish FA subject to their review of the case. He risks missing Barcelona’s Copa del Rey clash with Cornella on Thursday.
