Pique handed four-game La Liga ban
 |
| AFP |
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique will miss the first four matches of the new La Liga season for abusing match officials in the European champions' Spanish Super Cup defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
Pique was shown a straight red card in the second leg of the tie on Monday, which ended 1-1, for taking his protests towards the linesman too far as Barça failed to overcome a 4-0 first leg deficit. The length of the ban was confirmed by Spanish football's disciplinary committee on Wednesday.
Barcelona have confirmed that they will appeal the ruling to the competition's appeals committee. Barring a successful appeal Pique will now miss Barça's daunting rematch away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and the trip to Atletico Madrid on 12 September, as well as home games against Malaga and Levante.