Barca launch ban appeal

The Catalan club were handed the ban, as well as a fine of ‚é¼4000, on Wednesday for incidents that occurred during the game with Real Madrid on November 23.

Barca had a period of 10 days in which to appeal, and have decided to act quickly in a bid to overturn the decision.

Their appeal is based largely on the grounds that extensive media pressure from the city of their arch rivals Madrid, forced the Commission to hand down such a severe punishment.

"We cannot accept the decision made by the Competition Committee, it is unjust and out of place, the decision was conditioned by the enormous media pressure from Madrid," stated Barcelona president Joan Gaspart on Thursday evening.

Club spokesman, Jose Maria Coronas added: "The owner of a ground cannot be held responsible for the uncivil attitude of a spectator."

Coronas drew comparisons with Rayo Vallecano, saying he did not blame Rayo despite Barca player Carles Puyol being hit by a bottle thrown from a fan in the league game at the Teresa Rivero stadium last weekend.

"Just like ourselves, Rayo do not deserve to have their stadium closed," he concluded.