Mediapro founding partner Jaume Roures has claimed that the referee of the Supercopa de Espana final Gil Manzano should be sanctioned for failing to punish Athletic Club players for their challenges prior to Lionel Messi's sending off.
Roures, who has also been a Barcelona member for more than 30 years, believes that Manzano could have prevented Asier Villalibre and his teammates from making rough challenges on Messi if he had previously penalised such actions.
"It is clear that Messi committed an action that he should not have done and that he had never done before," said Roures.
"But I think we should not have reached the situation in which Messi was because the referee never intervened in the fouls he received.
"If he had shown some yellow cards we would not have reached that situation.
"They should also sanction the referee. I think Messi will stay [at Barcelona] if he sees a winning project."
Messi was sent off by Manzano for an overly aggressive act on Villalibre late in extra time of the time.
The first red card in the Argentine's professional career came after Manzano consulted the on-pitch VAR screen in the 120th minute of the match.
soliddusote
562
at some point we barca fans should know when to talk and when no to I was the challenge honestly messi deserved at least 4 match ban according to the rules but I feel the referee was also at fault because he didnt punish the fouls prior to messi lashing out and am not talking about the fouls just to messi but the refs judgement entirely but honestly challenge deserves at least 4 match ban
D10S_LM10
487
Messi's red card was valid but referee refused to see lots of dirty foul on Barcelona players which was really disappointing.
Nodciknp
463
Messi should have broken his nose they cant expect him to play mr nice guy every day while they kick him all over the pitch