Lewandowski suspension temporarily lifted for Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is ready to be out there for Saturday’s Spanish league sport in opposition to metropolis rival Espanyol after a courtroom quickly lifted his three-game suspension.

A courtroom of disputes in Madrid mentioned Friday that Lewandowski ought to be allowed to proceed enjoying till Spain’s administrative courtroom for sport makes a last ruling on the attraction that Barcelona lodged in opposition to its participant’s suspension.

“Being able to have him is great news, but knowing it a day before the game when you have been training to prepare to play without him is not the best timing for us,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez mentioned.

The Poland striker may nonetheless be suspended if the executive courtroom for sport guidelines in opposition to Barcelona’s attraction. But for now he’s out there to play in opposition to Espanyol at Camp Nou in Barcelona’s first sport in seven weeks because of the World Cup break.

Lewandowski obtained a one-game suspension when he was despatched off with a second yellow card throughout Barcelona’s 2-1 comeback win at Osasuna on Nov. 8. The Spanish soccer federation’s competitors committee later added two extra video games to his suspension due to what it known as the participant’s “show of disrespect” towards the referee following his sending off. Referee Gil Manzano wrote in his match report that Lewandowski twice pointed at his nostril earlier than pointing his thumb on the referee in a gesture that Manzano interpreted as being disrespectful.

Barcelona appealed the ruling to the executive courtroom for sport, however that courtroom had refused to quickly carry the ban whereas it thought-about the attraction. Barcelona then sought assist from the courtroom of disputes, which agreed that Lewandowski ought to be allowed to play till a last resolution got here down.

Lewandowski tops the Spanish league this season with 13 objectives and has performed a significant position in Barcelona main the league.