Barcelona's Gerard Pique facing 12-match suspension?

Gerard Pique could reportedly be banned for 12 games as a result of the red card that he received during last night's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou.

The centre-back was handed his marching orders by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo in the 56th minute of the contest for the dissent that he showed towards one of his officials after an offside call had not been made against Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz.

Reports in Spain have since claimed that the 28-year-old was heard to say "me cago en tu puta madre", which translates to "fuck your fucking mother."

According to AS, Pique could now be given a suspension of anything between two and 12 matches.

If the former Manchester United player were to be handed the maximum punishment, he would not be available to head coach Luis Enrique for domestic encounters until the end of November.