Pique had to separate Umtiti and Sergio Garcia in the tunnel LaLiga - Espanyol 1 - 1 Barcelona Forward allegedly gave racist insults to French defender

The derby between Espanyol and Barcelona was a tense affair played against the backdrop of incredible tension between Gerard Pique and Espanyol's supporters; however it was the veteran defender who had to separate Samuel Umtiti and Sergio Garcia in the tunnel.

Pique scored a late equalising goal to earn the Blaugrana a share of the points, yet the match ended in controversy with both sets of players clashing in the tunnel.

Jesus Gil Manzano noted in his official match report that there were discussions between players in the tunnel, although names were not given and there was no sense of a tone of conflict.

Umtiti was livid as he left the pitch and they collided just minutes before the end of the match, it has since been suggested that Garcia sent a racial slur in the former Lyon defender's direction.

The Frenchman went straight for Garcia in the tunnel and it took others to intervene to stop the incident spiralling out of control.

Shortly after, once tensions had eased somewhat, Garcia is said to have entered the visiting dressing room and apologised to the Barcelona defender, which Umtiti accepted as the matter appeared to have been settled.

On the pitch they were constantly at one another, Garcia made a very forceful challenge on the defender very early on and it snowballed from there.