RFEF Suspends Piqué, FC Andorra Officials for Six Matches After Albacete Clash

The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) Discipline Committee has imposed suspensions on FC Andorra owner Gerard Piqué, sporting director Jaume Nogués, president Ferran Vilaseca, and delegate Cristian Lanzarote following post-match clashes after the club's 1-0 loss to Albacete Balompié at Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp.

Piqué and Nogués each received six-match bans and two-month disqualifications. Vilaseca faces a four-month suspension, while Lanzarote got three matches plus two months sidelined. Among four staff ejected in stoppage time, goalkeeping coach Daniel Ortiz will miss two matches; Carles Manso, Jonathan Barreal, and Enrique Agudo each serve one. The club faces a €1,500 fine and closure of the presidential box and adjacent VIP areas for two home games.

The decision, based on referee Alonso De Ena Wolf's report and annex, cites insults from Vilaseca, Nogués, Lanzarote, and Piqué, plus aggressive actions in the tunnel and parking area. The committee classified these as "acts of violence" and noted the club's repeat offenses, with prior fines totaling €30,000 this season from matches against Deportivo de La Coruña (€9,000), Leganés (€9,000), and Málaga (€12,000). It ruled that Piqué effectively performs directing roles, subjecting him to RFEF jurisdiction for the first time. The panel limited stadium closure to the presidential and VIP zones, presuming that as the usual location of those involved.

Before the ruling, FC Andorra disputed the referee's annex, denying Vilaseca threatened to strike, Nogués wished for an accident, or Lanzarote escalated tensions. The club referenced security footage, sought corrections, and reserved rights to legal action to safeguard its reputation. Piqué posted on X that the club had requested the Technical Committee of Referees a month prior to bar De Ena Wolf due to perceived incompetence and bias. He deemed the four staff dismissals excessive, stating "coincidences do not exist." This marked De Ena Wolf's third Andorra game this season: a draw at Mirandés and losses to Eibar and Albacete.

FC Andorra intends to appeal. Separately, the club faces potential player registration issues over €630,000 in unpaid severance to former coach Eder Sarabia, upheld by Andorra's Tribunal Superior after his March 2024 dismissal. This covers dismissal pay, unused vacation, and over €226,000 in prior sums, with a lower court decision overturned on Sarabia's and assistant Jon López's appeal (€52,000). Sarabia seeks RFEF involvement.