Barcelona have had their appeal of Neymar’s three-match ban
thrown out, by the committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on
Thursday.
The Catalan club were hoping to have the Brazilian forward
available for Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Neymar was handed the punishment, after getting sent off
during Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat at Malaga earlier this month. The red card was
his first in his four seasons with the club.
His first booking was for obstructing the taking of a
free-kick by tying his laces, while the second yellow card was for a late
challenge on Roberto Rosales.
Although that automatically carries a one-match ban, referee
Jesus Gil Manzano wrote in his match report, that Neymar “sarcastically
applauded” the fourth official as he left the pitch.
The RFEF competition committee then slammed an additional
two-game ban, meaning Neymar will miss league games against Real Sociedad,
Madrid and Osasuna
By Ifreke Inyang
