Barcelona star apologizes after controversial gesture to Espanyol

The defender made a controversial gesture to Espanyol during a heated derby on Sunday night.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has apologized for his controversial gesture during the 2-2 draw against Espanyol.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan was singled out for criticism after TV footage showed him taunting the Espanyol bench – namely the red-carded Nico Melamed – with two fingers to imply they would be relegated to second Spanish second division at the end of the season.

Ronald Araújo 🤐 pic.twitter.com/90bV5mvebq

— Juli Claramunt (@juliclaramunt) February 13, 2022

Now, in a statement on Twitter and his other social media pages, Araujo has issued an apology for his actions.

“I want to apologize to all the people of Espanyol for the unfortunate gesture I made tonight,” he posted.

“Everything was the result of the tension experienced during a derby as disputed as today’s. I consider myself a person who respects fans and rival clubs and that is why I am not proud of what happened.”

Melamed was one of three players to be dismissed on Sunday, as Espanyol teammate Manu Morlanes and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also saw red during injury-time.

Pedri broke the deadlock at the RCD Stadium on Sunday by tucking away Jordi Alba’s cross in only the second minute. Sergi Darder and Raul de Tomas, however, scored to put Espanyol in front.

A home win appeared to be on the cards until substitute Luuk de Jong headed in an equalizer in added time. The striker’s goal salvaged a point for Barcelona. It enabled Xavi’s side to reclaim fourth in La Liga; level on 39 points with Atletico Madrid but in front thanks to goal difference.