Video footage shows Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Ronald Koeman CORNER referee during half-time tunnel row after Clement Lenglet was sent off during Celta Vigo win
- Barcelona were left fuming after Clement Lenglet’s red card on Thursday night
- French defender was shown a second yellow for raised arm against Denis Suarez
- Messi, Pique and Koeman demanded explanation from Carlos del Cerro Grande
- They crowded round referee in the tunnel before emerging for second half
- Video footage saw the official demonstrate to Messi why Lenglet was dismissed
- The red card didn’t affect Barca too much as they defeated Celta Vigo 3-0
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi confronted a referee in the tunnel to protest Clement Lenglet’s red card against Celta Vigo.
The French defender was shown a second yellow card three minutes before half-time during Thursday night’s LaLiga fixture for putting an arm across Celta midfielder Denis Suarez.
Messi argued with referee Carlos del Cerro Grande on the field and, as tunnel cam TV footage from Movistar has revealed, didn’t let the debate rest during half-time.
Lionel Messi remonstrated with referee Carlos del Cerro Grande at half-time following Clement Lenglet’s red card in Thursday night’s Barcelona vs Celta Vigo clash
Messi, Gerard Pique and manager Ronald Koeman crowded around the official in the tunnel to demand an explanation for the sending off
All three were determined to get their point across after Barca were reduced to 10 men
Video footage from a tunnel camera showed the referee demonstrate to Messi why Lenglet’s raised arm was worthy of a second yellow card
Messi, Gerard Pique and manager Ronald Koeman all stood around Del Cerro Grande and demanded an explanation.
The official explains his decision and twice demonstrates the move Lenglet made with his arm.
Koeman looks distinctly unimpressed with something Del Cerro Grande said and Pique was also determined to get his views across.
Eventually the group make their way back onto the field for the second half with the referee again reproducing Lenglet’s raised arm for Messi.
In the end, Barcelona’s numerical disadvantage counted for little.
The French defender was shown a second yellow for putting his hand across Denis Suarez
Carlos del Cerro Grande flashes a red card at Lenglet (not pictured) during the first half
Messi was angered by the decision, protesting on the field and continuing in the tunnel
Already ahead thanks to Ansu Fati’s 11th-minute strike, they went 2-0 up thanks to a Lucas Olaza own goal and completed a 3-0 win thanks to Sergi Roberto late on.
‘You can debate whether it was a yellow or not,’ said Koeman afterwards. ‘It was a tough punishment. It’s difficult being a referee. It’s a decision we don’t have to discuss.
‘It was more important to talk about how to play with a man down than to discuss that.
Messi was happier at the end as Barcelona won 3-0 to make it two wins out of two this season
Despite going down to 10 men, Barcelona looked comfortable all night against Celta Vigo
‘I’m very proud of this team in today’s match. We worked very well and played with a lot of discipline in the team, with one man down.
‘We’re doing a good job. These results invite us to think that we’re on the right track.’
Barcelona have won both their opening LaLiga matches and host Sevilla in their next fixture on Sunday evening.
