Messi’s half-time tunnel row with referee caught on camera

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 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.

Video footage from a tunnel camera showed the referee demonstrate to Messi why Lenglet’s raised arm was worthy of a second yellow card

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.

The French defender was shown a second yellow for putting his hand across Denis Suarez

In the end, Barcelona’s numerical disadvantage counted for little.

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.

‘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.

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‘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.

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