Robert Lewandowski is free to play against Espanyol for Barcelona despite having been due to serve a suspension (Picture: Getty)
Espanyol have been left fuming after a Spanish court overturned the suspension Robert Lewandowski was due to serve against them.
Lewandowski was set to miss the match after the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) banned the Poland international for three games following his sending off in Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Osasuna in November.
The 34-year-old was shown a yellow card for dragging back Nacho Vidal in the 11th minute and 20 minutes later received his second after appearing to elbow David Garcia in the face.
According to the RFEF Officiating Committee, Lewandowski was given a three-game ban due to a gesture towards the official after he was shown the red card that was of ‘contemptuous attitude towards the referees’.
Last month, Barcelona said they would appeal the ban. According to reports in Spanish media, their appeal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month.
‘The dispute settlement court in Madrid issued a precautionary measure against the suspension imposed by the court of arbitration for sport, meaning the Polish international will be able to line up against Espanyol,’ Barcelona said in a statement.
Local rivals Espanyol have reacted with fury and issued an official response of their own, claiming their preparations for the derby have been severely disrupted given they thought they would not be facing one of European football’s most prolific strikers.
‘RCD Espanyol de Barcelona finds it unusual that, 24 hours before the match against FC Barcelona, and after it was rejected by different competent bodies (Competition, Appeal and TAD), a precautionary measure has been granted to a previously imposed sanction to the FC Barcelona player, Robert Lewandowski,’ read a strongly worded statement.
‘The Club considers that this last-minute decision completely conditions and the team’s preparation for this match. RCD Espanyol understands that it is a grievance and an injustice considering the precedents with other clubs.
‘It should be remembered that, throughout this season, Espanyol has encountered similar situations in which appeals have been presented for the expulsion of its players and in no case have they resulted in the corresponding committee meeting during the week to study the allegations presented by the club.
‘We are analysing the facts and will defend our interests with all the resources at our disposal. We are analysing the facts and will defend our interests with all the resources at our disposal.
‘Despite this injustice and this unprecedented decision in the competition, our TEAM tomorrow will compete 110% to live up to the trust of our people.’
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Barcelona’s star striker will be eligible to play in the derby.
