Spain’s administrative court for sport on Wednesday upheld a three-match suspension for Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, removing him from Sunday’s Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid.
The suspension had been lifted by a dispute court following an appeal from Barcelona. The Polish striker was allowed to play in the 1-1 draw against Espanyol last weekend.
Espanyol later contested the result of the derby, saying it was harmed by the Madrid court’s unexpected decision to temporarily lift the suspension.
Lewandowski was sent off for consecutive yellow cards in the league match at Osasuna on 8 November. He was initially given a one-game suspension, but the Spanish Federation’s league committee later added two more games to the suspension for what it called the player. show of disrespect” towards the referee after his exclusion.
Referee Gil Manzano wrote in his match report that Lewandowski pointed to his nose twice before pointing his thumb at the referee in a gesture Manzano interpreted as disrespectful. Lewandowski said the gesture was aimed at his coach and not the referee.
Lewandowski will also have to miss the league games against Getafe and Girona. Next week he can participate in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona is tied with Real Madrid after 15 matches.