The Spanish League’s Competitions Committee decided to punish Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez after he was sent off against Atletico Madrid last week.
But although the Catalan coach will be suspended, fortunately for him and his team, this will not affect his participation with Barça in El Clásico against Real Madrid.
La Liga’s decision included suspending Xavi for only two matches, after some newspapers reported that the suspension might extend to 3 matches, with which he would be absent from the Santiago Bernabeu.
Although Barcelona filed an appeal to reduce or cancel the penalty, the League supported the decision, confirming the absence of Xavi from Barcelona’s substitutes’ bench in the matches between Las Palmas and Cadiz, and he will return against Real Madrid.
It is noteworthy that Xavi will pay a fine of 600 euros, and Barcelona will pay another fine of 700 euros as part of the penalty decision issued by the League.
It is worth noting that Barcelona will meet Real Madrid on Sunday, April 21, and the difference between the two teams so far is still 8 points in favor of “Los Blancos” at the top of the La Liga standings.