Espanyol files complaint over Lewandowski’s eligibility

MADRID (AP) — Espanyol challenged the results of the derby towards Barcelona to Spanish officers on Monday, alleging striker Robert Lewandowski was ineligible due to a suspension.

The groups drew 1-1 on Saturday in La Liga. Espanyol performed beneath protest as a result of Lewandowski appeared after being despatched off in Barcelona’s earlier league recreation.

A courtroom in Madrid on Friday dominated that Lewandowski, the league high scorer, was allowed to play till Spain’s administrative courtroom for sport made a remaining ruling on the attraction that Barcelona lodged towards his three-game suspension for consecutive yellow playing cards within the recreation at Osasuna on Nov. 8.

Espanyol stated it was harmed by the sudden resolution by the Madrid courtroom to briefly elevate the suspension. Lewandowski performed a component in Marcos Alonso’s purpose for Barcelona within the seventh minute on the Camp Nou. The purpose helped Barcelona stay unbeaten towards Espanyol since 2009.

“Espanyol will use all of the sources at its disposal to defend its pursuits and that of our followers, conscious that this flagrant injustice places the essence of our competitors in danger and that this injustice is predicated on a hasty decision and with apparent authorized deficiencies,” Espanyol stated in an announcement on Monday.

The membership stated it notified the officiating crew earlier than Saturday’s match about Lewandowski’s ineligibility.

Lewandowski may nonetheless be suspended if the executive courtroom for sport guidelines towards Barcelona’s attraction.

The Poland striker acquired a one-game suspension when he was despatched off for a second yellow card throughout Barcelona’s 2-1 comeback win at Osasuna, and the Spanish federation competitors committee added two extra video games 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, tied on factors with Real Madrid on the high of the league standings after 15 matches, subsequent visits fourth-placed Atlético Madrid. It performs within the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.