Barcelona president Joan Laporta attacks referee for sending off Hansi Flick

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has fired at referee Gil Manzano, accusing him of bias against their players, after Hansi Flick was sent off in the 2-1 victory against Girona. 

The German tactician received his marching orders late in the game, a second yellow card, after protesting the added time with his team chasing the contest. 

The Barcelona president, during the club's general assembly, disagreed with Flick’s sending off and informed the members that they have appealed the decision. 

“We have appealed the two yellow cards,” he said, per Football Espana. “The referee went too far and waited for the reaction to show him the second. 

“I know that it is difficult for them to remove the sanction. I’ve told Flick that we’re with him. I didn’t like the referee’s attitude.”

Laporta went further on the referee—Gil Manzano—stressing that he tended to show Barcelona players red cards. 

“This man has sent off almost all our players who stand out. He has a CV that you just have to see; we think nothing will happen, and it always happens, and it’s before such an important game.”

“What happened yesterday… We were not fine, not as we are used to. It will give us a lot of confidence. And just as we finished, with a centre-back who ended up scoring as a striker.”