TAD Upholds Piqué's Six-Match Ban for Chasing Ref After Andorra Game

Spain's Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD) has confirmed nearly all sanctions handed down by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to FC Andorra and majority shareholder Gerard Piqué following clashes after the club's Segunda División match against Albacete on 1 May.

The 10 September ruling upholds a six-match ban and two-month suspension for Piqué, who pursued referee Alonso De Ena Wolf into the tunnel shouting objections at halftime and full time. Officials classified the behaviour as minor violence, dismissing claims of free speech or the need for physical contact. They also sustained the two-month penalty for his offensive remarks to officials in the parking area, backed by the match report and witnesses.

Despite lacking a formal position—his majority ownership runs through Kosmos—the TAD ruled Piqué a de facto director. This rested on his board connections, regular accreditation as technical staff, role in sporting choices, and defence of club interests during the incidents, subjecting him to RFEF rules.

Sporting director Jaume Nogués drew a six-match ban and two-month suspension for shouting "Pocavergonyes!"—deemed a verbal offence—at the referees in the tunnel, plus further comments in the parking area wishing harm on them. Delegate Cristian Lanzarote faces three matches for labelling an assistant referee "the worst in the category" and two months for escalating tensions while ignoring his responsibilities.

FC Andorra must pay a €1,500 fine and shut its presidential box plus nearby VIP areas for two matches. The club argued Piqué's self-issued "free access" pass allowed tunnel entry, but the TAD said it could not override federation limits on such zones.

President Ferran Vilaseca's four-month ban and fine were overturned entirely, as his attempted chest-push and raised fist at the match delegate—halted by security—failed to meet sanction thresholds. The RFEF might still pursue action if time allows.

All penalties had been served by the time of the TAD's decision, which ends administrative appeals and opens a two-month period for potential court action. The tribunal reviewed late submissions like Piqué's accreditation and a security report but rejected statements contradicting proven facts.