Lewandowski’s ban stands as TAD rejects appeal by Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski won’t be able to play in the derby on December 31 against Espanyol. He also won’t be available for the matches against Atlético Madrid and Getafe after the Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte -Administrative Court of Sport- (TAD) decided to reject the precautionary measures Barcelona requested concerning the three games Lewandowski was given a suspension for following his expulsion on November 8 in Pamplona.

In this way, the TAD upheld the sanction imposed by the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation, which included a match ban for double yellow cards that resulted in Osasuna’s expulsion and a two-match ban for the player’s gesture after leaving the playing field, which was determined to be an insult against the referee.

Barcelona appeals at Appeal Committee of the Federation

Barcelona appealed the punishment to the Appeal Committee of the Federation, confident those two games would not stand. They did so with evidence that showed no disrespect on his part. However, on December 5, the committee approved the full sanction, leading to the presentation of a new appeal to the TAD, which failed once more on Friday.

Lewandowski will be allowed to play in the Copa del Rey match against Intercity on January 4, the Supercopa semifinal on January 12 against Betis in Riad, and any potential championship game. However, he will not be allowed to play against Espanyol, Atlético on January 8, or Getafe on January 22.