Football News

Barcelona appeal Andres Iniesta suspension for Real Madrid clash

19th April 2011 - Alma Shera

Barcelona have appealed the suspension of Andres Iniesta from their first leg Champions League clash with Spanish rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalan side drew 1-1 with Real in the Spanish La Liga just last week - the first of four meetings between the two sides in crucial football games over just 18 days.

Tomorrow (April 19th) sees the two sides square up in the crucial Copa del Rey final, followed by the two Champions League football games to decide which team go through to the European final.

However, the proposed suspension of Iniesta would see him miss the first leg on April 27th.

In a statement, the club said: "FC Barcelona have this evening submitted an appeal to UEFA against the proposed imposition of an additional game suspension for Andres Iniesta following the yellow card he picked up against Shakhtar at the Nou Camp on April 6th."

The ban has been imposed following allegations that the playmaker deliberately picked up a yellow card during the commanding 5-1 first-leg win over Shakhtar, causing him to be suspended for the return leg but with a clean disciplinary record for the semi-finals.

"FC Barcelona believe that the arguments outlined in their appeal, based on the good faith of the player and the disproportionate nature of the proposed sanction will be sufficient to rebut these allegations," the club added.

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