Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been handed an prolonged three-game ban for his reaction to being despatched off in his facet’s comeback 2-1 win at Osasuna final Tuesday.
Lewandowski, 34, acquired a purple card for 2 bookable offences within the thirty first minute with Barca a purpose down and responded as he left by the pitch by making a gesture — touching his nostril and pointing towards the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano — which was later deemed disrespectful and conceited by the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF).
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He denied the gesture was meant for the official, saying it was meant for his coach Xavi Hernandez following a dialog they’d earlier this month, however the RFEF ignored his clarification.
Lewandowski, who has scored 18 targets in all competitions this season, will miss the Catalan derby in opposition to Espanyol scheduled for Dec. 31 and the away video games in opposition to Champions League contenders Atletico Madrid and Actual Betis, with LaLiga now breaking for six weeks to accommodate the World Cup.
It was simply the second purple card of Lewandowski’s profession. The ahead, who will symbolize Poland in Qatar, was final despatched off in 2013 throughout his time at Borussia Dortmund.
Regardless of Lewandowski’s absence, Barca got here from behind to beat declare one in every of their largest wins of the season over Osasuna and guarantee they continue to be prime of the desk throughout the World Cup.
Gerard Pique , in the meantime, has been handed a four-game ban after being dismissed in the identical sport, though he will not serve the suspension after retiring from soccer.
He was despatched off at half-time after unleashing a tirade of expletives at referee Gil Manzano, who he mentioned has “screwed Barcelona” greater than some other official.
Pique, 35, was set to play his final sport for Barca earlier than retirement however was not capable of come on within the second half after being dismissed within the tunnel throughout the half-time break for his remonstrations.
Gil Manzano’s report learn: “Gerard was despatched off for the next cause: As soon as the primary half ended, contained in the tunnel, he spoke to me within the following phrases: ‘Have you ever seen the nook [for the Osasuna goal] you gave in opposition to us? You’re the referee that has screwed us probably the most by a distance.’
“As soon as his dismissal had been communicated to the membership delegate, he continued repeating the identical expressions detailed above and needed to be led into the dressing room by membership workers, whereas he spoke to me within the following phrases: ‘It’s a f—–g shame, motherf—-r.'”
Whereas Pique, who disputed Gil Manzano’s model of occasions, can’t be banned as a result of his retirement from the game, he shall be fined for his actions.
