Hansi Flick confirms that the Barcelona star was excluded from the Athletic match “because it was the third time he was late.”

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed that his decision to drop Iñaki Peña to the bench in the club’s match against Athletic Bilbao came as a punishment.

Goalkeeper Peña played no role on Wednesday night as Barcelona booked their place in the Spanish Super Cup final at the expense of Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic.

It came as a surprise, as the 25-year-old has played a leading role for the Blaugrana since Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s long-term injury.

At the time, reports circulated in the media that Peña’s absence may have been a form of punishment.

Speaking in his final press conference before facing Real Madrid on Sunday, the subject of these allegations was in turn raised by the aforementioned Hansi Flick.

The Barcelona manager was not ashamed to admit:

“I punished Inaki Peña in the semi-final against Athletic Club because it was the third time he was behind. So I put him on the bench.”

Conor Laird – GSFN