Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has this evening confirmed the club’s plans to appeal the red card shown to Vitor Roque against Alavés.
Barca, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to the Estadio Mendizorrotza for a La Liga meeting with the aforementioned Alavés.
When all was said and done, Xavi and co. made it two wins in the trot, courtesy of goals on the part of all of Robert Lewandowski, İlkay Gündoğan, and Vitor Roque.
Post-match, in turn, it should come as little surprise to see the name of the latter of this trio taking its place centre stage in the headlines.
After opening his account in Barcelona’s colours in midweek against Osasuna, the January arrival in Catalunya emerged from the bench to round out the scoring on Saturday once more.
Unfortunately for Roque, however, this is not the chief reason for his headline-grabbing status late tonight.
Instead, this comes after the Brazilian was shown a red card late in proceedings at Mendizorrotza.
After first being booked midway through the 2nd half, Roque shortly after attempted to hurdle a sliding challenge from an opposing Alavés defender.
And, in his efforts to do so, the youngster was unfortunate to make slight contact with his trailing foot.
Nevertheless, the team of officials overseeing the clash felt it deserving of a 2nd yellow card, with Roque sent for an early bath as a result.
Speaking to the media post-match, the subject of his young striker’s surprise dismissal, in turn, was inevitably put to boss Xavi.
And the Spaniard was not at all hesitant in confirming Barcelona’s plans to forward an appeal to La Liga.
“We are going to appeal Vitor Roque’s red card. This is a mistake,” Xavi assured.
Conor Laird | GSFN
