'It was unfair!' - Vitor Roque speaks out against controversial red card just 13 minutes after he came on and scored in Barcelona win against Deportivo Alaves

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian took little time to stamp his authority against Alaves after he tucked away a fine finish to restore a two-goal advantage for the Blaugrana. However, he had a premature end to his evening as he was given marching orders just 13 minutes after his introduction following a harsh second yellow card for a supposed foul on an opposition player.

Barcelona had appealed their review request and upheld the ban. They ruled that there “is no clear evidence that the cautioned player did not carry out the action that was recorded in the minutes. The repeated viewing of the images, in short, has not allowed this Committee to conclude, beyond all doubt, that the action did not occur as described by the referee.”

WHAT ROQUE SAID

WHAT ROQUE SAID
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Roque said: “I think the yellow card was unfair, at least the second one, and now I have to serve the sanction. It was the referees’ decision, Barca tried to appeal in every way, so I have no choice but to serve the sanction and prepare for the next game.

“At first I didn’t understand, it was a play in which the defender came at me with his foot in front and when I saw him I tried to turn my foot so as not to impact with him and not get injured. But the player starts shouting and the referee shows me the yellow card.”

Roque said: “I think the yellow card was unfair, at least the second one, and now I have to serve the sanction. It was the referees’ decision, Barca tried to appeal in every way, so I have no choice but to serve the sanction and prepare for the next game.

Roque was finding his mojo at Barca after finding the net in two successive games against Osasuna and Alaves following his January arrival. Now he has to serve his suspension and will be unavailable on Sunday against Granada.