'Can't even talk to him': Frenkie de Jong furious at referee Gil Manzano after defeat

FC Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong (R) speaks with referee Jesos Gil Manzano
FC Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong (R) speaks with referee Jesos Gil ManzanoANDER GILLENEA / AFP

FC Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong didn't hold back in commenting on referee Jesus Gil Manzano following his side's 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday, saying players can't even talk to him.

Barcelona lost a tight game in Anoeta after the Catalan outfit had three goals disallowed, including one from Lamine Yamal after a semi-automatic offside review ruled the goal out by millimetres.

The decisions reportedly left the Barcelona squad very frustrated in the locker room, with some players voicing their anger at referee Jesus Gil Manzano on social media.

Captain Frenkie de Jong expressed his frustration about Gil Manzano to Movistar, calling out the referee's attitude.

"What I do want to say is that (with the referee) you can't even talk to him," De Jong said. "I'm the captain and I don't get it. He looks at me like he says, 'I'm above you.' It's frustrating. You can't behave like that."

Manager Hansi Flick joined De Jong in voicing his problems with Gil Manzano, saying he's grown tired of the official.

“I know what the referee is like. Everyone has seen it. I do not want to spend energy on him. I had already read comments about the referee before the match. There are very good referees in LaLiga, but we all know what he is like," Flick said during the post-game press conference

Time-wasting

De Jong blamed the team for missing chances, but reiterated his frustrations after Gil Manzano allowed Real Sociedad to waste time in the closing stages.

"At the end, in stoppage time, I kept telling him to watch the clock. They took a minute to restart with a goal kick... It's normal for them to do that. And he didn't add even 10 seconds. I think it's crazy. I said that and he gave me a yellow card."

21+ | COMPETENT REGULATOR EEEP | RISK OF ADDICTION & LOSS OF PROPERTY | KETHEA HELPLINE: 210 9237777 | PLAY RESPONSIBLY & SAFELY |

Do you want to withdraw your consent to display betting ads?
Yes, change settings