Espanyol expressed its anger on the determination to elevate the three-match non permanent ban on the Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski Which suggests he might be accessible for the Catalan derby on Saturday.
Lewandowski, 34, was despatched off in Barcelona’s ultimate match earlier than the World Cup towards Osasuna after selecting up two yellow playing cards in his facet’s 2-1 away win at Sadar. He was given a one-match ban as a result of a pink card and an additional two-match ban for a gesture he made whereas leaving the sector.
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However on Friday, a Madrid court docket briefly lifted the ban pending a ultimate determination, prompting Espanyol to situation an official assertion describing the ruling as an “injustice” that “completely stipulates this week in LaLiga”.
“Espanyol finds it uncommon that, 24 hours earlier than the match towards Barcelona, and after seeing appeals dismissed by three totally different our bodies, Robert Lewandowski’s ban was briefly suspended,” Learn the assertion from the membership.
“We consider that the necessities haven’t been met to justify the non permanent suspension, particularly for the reason that sentence consists of two totally different offences [the red card and the gesture]. It had additionally beforehand been endorsed by three totally different our bodies, whereas the ruling report strongly supported the ban.
“The referee talks about irreparable hurt to Barcelona with out going into assessing the irreparable harm to their rivals and the competitors, with out giving any chance of enchantment. [to other clubs].
“Espanyol considers that this last-minute determination fully controls the match-week in LaLiga, which started on Thursday, and the workforce’s preparation for this match. Espanyol feels that it’s a mistake and in addition an injustice when taking into consideration the precedents with different golf equipment.”
Lewandowski responded to his sending off towards Osasuna by touching his nostril and pointing on the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano, which he deemed disrespectful and boastful.
And Barcelona had beforehand did not enchantment it a number of occasions after the Polish worldwide claimed that this gesture was directed at his coach, Xavi Hernandez, after a dialog that passed off between them, but it surely succeeded on Friday.
“Lewandowski can play towards Espanyol on Saturday after the Dispute Settlement Court docket of Madrid issued a precautionary measure towards the ban imposed by the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport,” Barcelona stated in a press release on Friday.
“We discovered it out after coaching this morning,” Xavi stated of the event at his press convention on Friday. “We have been getting ready for the sport all week with out him. It is excellent news and we’re completely happy, but it surely’s not the very best time for us.
“even in [Lewandowski] I used to be shocked by the timing but it surely all does not take away from the truth that the ban is extreme and unfair.”
Xavi, who stated he understands that Espanyol is upset by the choice, stays uninformed about what is going to occur subsequent and the way lengthy the ban will stay in standby.
“It will be good to know after we can use it and what the ultimate ban is,” added Xavi. “The group round him wasn’t good contemplating it occurred in November. We do not know if we’ll play him towards Atletico Madrid.”
Lewandowski, Barcelona’s prime scorer this season with 18 targets in all competitions, was as a result of miss the Catalan membership’s return to La Liga on New Yr’s Eve, however he’ll now be accessible for the match.
Friday’s determination may imply he can face Atletico Madrid subsequent weekend as properly. That journey to Atlético and a match towards Getafe later in January had been the opposite two video games the striker was set to overlook.
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In the meantime, df Ronald Araujo He was cleared to return to motion after recovering from a thigh damage that sidelined him for 3 months.
Araujo underwent surgical procedure in September that compelled him to overlook the World Cup finals, though he traveled with the Uruguay nationwide workforce regardless, however he returned to coaching with Barcelona this month.
Due to this fact, Barcelona have the luxurious of fielding a totally match squad for Saturday’s recreation subsequent Sergi Roberto And the Frank Casey Just lately returned from accidents.
Xavi additionally paid tribute to Brazil legend Pele, who died on Thursday on the age of 82.
“I feel he was exaggerating a bit, proper?” Xavi stated with a smile, when he was reminded of a few of the compliments Pele has given him in recent times.
“My ideas are along with his household and the entire of Brazil. He was a pioneer. He marked a era. Everybody wished to be Pele, like Maradona and Messi…legends.
“We met at many Ballon d’Or events and he at all times had type phrases for me and Barcelona. I had quite a lot of respect and affection for him. As I say, my ideas are along with his household.”