Barcelona sporting director Deco has this afternoon provided an insight into the club’s plans to appeal the red card handed down to Vitor Roque over the weekend.
The name of frontman Roque, of course, took its place front and centre in the Spanish media headlines this past Saturday.
This came owing to an explosive cameo on the part of the Brazilian, in Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Alavés.
En route to an eventual 3-1 Blaugrana triumph, Roque was introduced off the bench on the hour mark.
And, for the 2nd time in the space of mere days, the January arrival went on to add his name to the scoresheet within minutes of stepping foot on the pitch.
In turn, it came as a major blow for all associated with Barca when, a short time later, Roque was sent for an early bath.
After first being booked midway through the 2nd-half, the 18-year-old was unlucky to catch the sliding Rafa Marín with his studs, giving rise to a 2nd yellow, and ensuing red card.
As much means that, as things stand, Roque is facing up to a one-game La Liga suspension.
As alluded to above, though, if the latest comments on the part of Deco are anything to go by, the Blaugrana are not ready to accept their young attacker’s fate without putting up a fight.
Amid widespread agreement in Catalunya’s capital that Roque’s 2nd yellow card was unjustified, the club’s sporting director on Monday confirmed that “we will appeal”.
Deco went on to add:
“It’s a normal action in the game.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
