Alex Baena sent off after lifting his shirt to reveal a tribute to Villarreal ‘s late vice-president
Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena shown a harsh second yellow card after lifting his shirt to reveal a tribute to the club’s late vice-president, who recently passed away from Leukemia
- Alex Baena paid tribute to Villarreal’s late vice-president on Sunday night
- He revealed a shirt that read ‘thank you for everything Llaneza’ after scoring
- The 21-year-old winger was then shown a second yellow card for lifting his shirt
- Villarreal won the game with Almeria 2-1 despite going down to 10 men
Villarreal’s Alex Baena was harshly sent off on Sunday night after removing his shirt to show a tribute to Jose Manuel Llaneza, the club’s late vice-president.
The winger had been booked earlier in the game against Almeria, and was part of a controversial incident in the second half after he put his side level with a second-half header.
Baena lifted his shirt to reveal a message that read: ‘Thank you for Everything Llaneza’, after the vice-president passed away following a battle with leukemia.
Alex Baena revealed a tribute to Villarreal’s late vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza on Sunday
The winger was then showed a second yellow card for removing his shirt and sent off
He was then shown a cruel second yellow card for the act, reducing Villarreal to 10 men for the rest of the game, which they eventually won 2-1.
When interviewed after the game, manager Unai Emerai was diplomatic about the sending off. He said: ‘I think he is a very good referee. He has always been at a very high level, but there are difficult situations to referee.’
‘He acted with the rules in his hand, but if he had thought about it more coldly he might not have made the same decision.’
Villareal went on to beat Almeria 2-1 despite being down to 10 men for much of the second half
Llaneza had been a key figure at Villarreal for decades, and was recognised in a statement from them that read: ‘The club wishes to express its deep and immense sorrow, sadness and dismay at his irreparable loss and to send its most sincere love and affection to his family and loved ones.’
‘It should be noted that José Manuel Llaneza was one of the great architects of the great growth of the club, which he joined in 1994 and carried out the tasks of manager, CEO and vice-president of the club, being one of the most important figures in Spanish football for his great ability, talent, work and leadership.’
A minute’s silence was held for Llaneza ahead of the game, and tributes were placed on the pitch.
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