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Barcelona will have to cope without Lionel Messi against Elche on Sunday after their bid to have the captain’s two-man ban overturned unsurprisingly failed.
Messi sat out Thursday’s win over Cornella in the Copa del Rey and will now complete his suspension at the weekend after the RFEF upheld their decision.
The Barca captain saw red in the final of the Spanish Super Cup after lashing out at substitute Asier Villalibre. It was the first red card of his Barcelona career.
“The Spanish FA have turned down FC Barcelona’s appeal against Leo Messi’s two match ban following his first ever red card in a Barça shirt against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup final. As a result the Argentine will serve the second game of the suspension on Sunday in the La Liga away fixture at Elche.”
Source | FC Barcelona
The next game Messi will be available for is the Copa del Rey last 16 clash against Rayo Vallecano which has now been scheduled for Wednesday.
It’s not clear if Ronald Koeman will use him in that match or keep him in reserve for the visit of Athletic to the Camp Nou next weekend.