The RFEF rejected Barcelona’s appeal against Neymar’s three-match suspension ruling the Brazilian out for El Classico.
Barcelona failed in their attempt to appeal Neymar’s three-match suspension that will stop him from appearing on Sunday’s Clasico against La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Neymar was rewarded with the ban for his sarcastic reaction to the second yellow card he received in the 2-0 defeat at Malaga. The Brazillian applauded the fourth official and the action got him a two game additional ban after he got banned for one game for the red card he was issued at La Rosaleda. This would leave him out of the game against Madrid at Santiago this weekend and the clash with Osasuna next week.
Barca’s argument was based on the fact that there was no evidence to prove that Neymar’s clap was directed at the official but the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s appeals committee proved them wrong and continued with the prosecution.
The Blaugrana, however, could still go further and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and attempt to have the suspension revoked.
The Catalan side saw their chances of another treble go up in flames on Wednesday when a goalless draw at home with Juventus took them out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Last season also ended for the Luis Enrique’s side in a similar way, dropping out of the competition in the last eight.
Now, the Classico seem to be the only way out for the club as they hope to keep their Liga hopes alive.
Barca, who are three points behind Madrid, will be going against the Liga leaders on Sunday.
Coming off defeated in the weekend game would automatically make the Merengues the title winner for the first time since 2011-12. That would make Copa del Rey their only hope of winning any major trophy this season.