Wednesday 9 May 2018 13:44, UK
Barcelona have appealed against the four-game ban given to Sergi Roberto for hitting Real Madrid's Marcelo during Sunday's El Clasico.
The 26-year-old's off-the-ball indiscretion, just before the half-time break, was spotted by referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez who showed him a straight red card.
Hernandez's report said Roberto was dismissed for "hitting an opponent with his arm, with the use of excessive force, the ball not being at a distance to be played."
The suspension, should it stand, ends Roberto's season as he will miss Barcelona's remaining La Liga matches against Villarreal, Levante and Real Sociedad as well as the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla at the start of 2018-19.
His sending off came with the score tied at 1-1, and the game would finish in a 2-2 draw after Gareth Bale cancelled out a goal from Lionel Messi.
Roberto now has to wait to learn if he will be able to force his way into Spain's squad for the World Cup finals in Russia.
He has won three caps since his senior international debut, which came against Romania in 2016.
