Goal.com · Aug 6, 2015
Barcelona: Messi headbutt on Yanga-Mbiwa 'normal'
The forward caused controversy on Wednesday by lashing out at the France international during the Blaugrana's 3-0 friendly win over Roma.
Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre has played down the seriousness of Lionel Messi's clash with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, claiming that such incidents are "normal" in football.
Messi reacted angrily to something said by the Roma defender during the first half of Wednesday's friendly at Camp Nou, thrusting his head towards the France international before then grabbing his opponent by the throat.
Both players were booked for their role in the altercation but there have been claims that Messi was the aggressor and should have been dismissed.