MADRID, AP:

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been given a four-match ban for insulting a linesman during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, which his club lost 5-1 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao.

A Competition Committee judge yesterday ordered the sanction, having studied the case after Pique was sent off for the offence during the match.

Barcelona presented arguments in defence of its player but was unable to shorten the punishment, and the decision means Pique will not be able to play against Bilbao, Malaga, Atlético Madrid, and Levante at the beginning of the La Liga season.

Referee Velasco Carballo's match report said Pique used foul and abusive language while shouting at the assistant referee.

Earlier, Pique had apologised and insisted he did not insult the official.

Pique said it was a match with a lot of pressure "in which we were playing for a title".