Sports Tribunal upholds Suárez suspension

The Spanish Sports Tribunal (TAD) has rejected Barcelona’s appeal against the two-match suspension imposed on Luis Suárez, so the Uruguayan forward will not travel to Bilbao for the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Athletic Club. Luis Enrique had already left him off the list, just in case, but was waiting on the TAD’s decision to see whether he might be able to play him at San Mamés. Barcelona’s appeal had asked for the player’s suspension to be wiped off, not just temporarily suspended, but the court has ignored this and ratified the initial ban.

Barcelona’s absentees against Athletic Club will, therefore, be Messi, left out as a precaution, the suspended Luis Suárez, Alba, Rafinha y Mathieu all injured, and Claudio Bravo.