Barcelona's Luis Suarez banned for Copa del Rey final

Barcelona's Luis Suarez will miss the Copa del Rey final against Alaves in May after being banned for two games following his red card against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The suspension was handed down by the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Thursday and applies to cup matches only.

The Catalan club had anticipated a one-match ban and have said they will appeal after Suarez received a second yellow card in the 90th minute of the semi-final second leg for "striking his arm against a rival player in a reckless fashion".

The club said in a statement: "The argument in favour of overturning the decision is based on the fact that the Barca player didn't make 'reckless' contact with the opposition player as the referee's report states."

Suarez was punished for the dismissal, as well as for not going straight to the changing room after leaving the pitch.

Barca midfielder Sergi Roberto was also sent off shorty before the hour mark as the hosts finished with nine men, while Atletico forward Yannick Carrasco saw red in the 69th minute - with all three dismissals for second bookable offences.

Barca confirmed in their statement that Roberto's second yellow card had been rescinded.

Holders Barca beat Atletico 3-2 on aggregate to reach their fourth straight Copa del Rey final.