Koeman denies insulting fourth official after Barca loss

Barcelona head coach, Ronald Koeman has denied claims that he insulted the fourth referee during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Granada at the Camp Nou on Thursday night.

The Barcelona boss was given his marching orders during the second half of the game for a disagreement with the officials on the touchline.

The disappointed manager after the game told that he did nothing wrong and it was the fourth official who ‘disrespected him’ in the first place

"I don't understand it," Koeman said in his post-match press conference.

"According to Carlos Naval, I disrespected the fourth official, but I didn't say anything bad.

"I didn't insult him. It's incredible. But if the fourth official wants to be the centre of attention... I said something, but with all due respect. He responded to me in a way that wasn't so nice.

"He disrespected me. If they put something in the report that I haven't said, then I'll have to do something about it."

Barcelona had the chance to go top of the Spanish League but rather lost hold of the game in the other half. Lionel Messi struck first but missed opportunities cost the Blaugranas when Granada completed a comeback in the second half.

Darwin Machis levelled the scores in the 63-minute before Jorge Molina doubled for the visitors in the 79-minute.

Barca are third, level on points with Real Madrid after 33 games, two points difference between them and first placed Atletico Madrid.