Laporta defends Leo after his first-ever red card for Barca

Joan Laporta believes Leo could no longer bear the constant fouls by the Bilbao players.

He adds that their play-acting was difficult to handle as well.

"Lionel Messi was tired of the constant fouls by the Bilbao players and their repeated play-acting throughout the match. Messi was not violent," Joan Laporta told CatRadio when asked on Leo's red card in the dying minutes of the Athletic Bilbao defeat.

Leo was sent off after slapping Athletic Bilbao's Asier Villalibre. It was the first-ever red card in his Barcelona career.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Leo will be suspended for 2 matches: Thursday's Copa del Rey clash against Cornella and Sunday's La Liga game against Elche. However, Barca will appeal this decision, hoping to reduce the ban.