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BARCELONA

Barcelona: Koeman loses appeal and will miss Atlético clash

The Appeals Committee upheld the two-match suspension which the coach must serve for uttering "what a character" to the fourth official in the Granada game.

Update:
Barcelona: Koeman loses appeal and will miss Atlético clash
ALBERT GEAREUTERS

As expected, the RFEF Appeals Committee upheld the two-game ban handed to Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman for his dismissal in the Granada game last week. It means he won't be able to be on the bench for Saturday's game against Atlético Madrid. Barça's appeal was rejected by the committee. According to referee González Fuertes' match notes from last Thursday's game against Granada at Camp Nou, Koeman muttered "what a character" in reference to the fourth official during the game which Barcelona ended up losing 1-2.

However, Barcelona will pursue the case further and are prepared to look at other legal routes, including taking the case to the Sports Council's tribunal (TAD), in one final attempt to get an injunction on Koeman's suspension. That is the only option open to the club to ensure that the coach can oversee the team in a potentially decisive game in the title race. As things stand, it will be Koeman's assistant Alfred Schreuder, a former disciple of Ten Haag and Nagelsmann who will be in the technical area for the Atleti game, following instructions from the head coach.