Overview
- Barcelona boss Hansi Flick publicly and visibly admonished Anthony Gordon as the winger dawdled during a late substitution in the 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid, a moment captured by local press and broadcast reports.
- LaLiga refereeing follows IFAB’s Law 3 via the RFEF, which requires substituted players to leave the pitch quickly and makes delays punishable, explaining why Flick reacted sharply to Gordon’s slow walk to the sideline.
- Flick has since defended Gordon’s quality and said the Englishman is still adapting to different training methods at Barcelona, while the club has not publicly disciplined the player.
- Gordon opened the season with five assists in his first four games but has not assisted since and has scored three goals in all competitions, figures that have fuelled fresh questions about his direct impact.
- Catalan outlets and supporters have criticised Gordon’s reliance on straight-line pace and argued that his profile contrasts with other attackers at the club, and the £70m fee has revived debate that Newcastle may have received strong value from the sale.