'Do I forgive him?' - Koeman reacts to Messi's red card

The Barcelona manager was put straight on the spot in his post-match conference after Messi’s shock red card.

Ronald Koeman refused to criticize Lionel Messi or discuss the referee’s decision to hand the Barcelona skipper a red card during his post-match conference, insisting he had yet to review the incident.

Jesus Gil Manzano became the first referee to hand Messi a red card as a Barcelona player in the dying moments of Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final with Athletic Club.

The 33-year-old took a swing at Asier Villalibre after the Athletic striker crossed his path during extra-time. And upon reviewing the footage, Manzano gave him a straight red card for violent conduct in Seville.

Lionel Messi’s red card against Athletic Club was the first time he had been sent off in his Barcelona career.

A bad end to the evening for the Argentinian. pic.twitter.com/R3XHbvIeiM

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 17, 2021

“I understand what [Messi] did [at the red card],” said Koeman as quoted by Marca.

“I don’t know how many fouls they committed against him. He tries to dribble and can’t.

“Do I forgive him? I need to see the incident.”

The Blaugrana boss also defended the call to allow Messi to return for the final. The Argentine missed the club’s semi-final win over Real Sociedad with an injury but opted to make himself available for selection against Athletic.

“After so many years, he [Messi] knows when he can play and when he can’t,” continued Koeman. “He decided to play and that’s it.”

Quizzed on Manzano’s officiating, the Dutchman added: “It’s better if I don’t talk.

“It’d just be repeating things, and I don’t like doing that. I’m not going to give my opinion.”

Antoine Griezmann put Barcelona ahead twice in Sevilla to spur hope of a 14th Spanish Super Cup title. However, it wasn’t to be their night. Oscar de Marcos and Villalibre canceled out the Frenchman’s goals before Inaki Williams struck an extra-time goal for a 3-2 victory.

Athletic, who also defeated Barcelona in 2015 final, have now won the Spanish Super Cup for the third time.