Lionel Messi has been banned for two matches after being sent off during the Spanish Supercopa final on Sunday. This is his first-ever time in his senior Barcelona career.
Messi was red carded in extra-time after swinging his arm at Athletic Bilbao’s Asier.
The referee Jesus Gil Manzano spoken to by VAR decided to watch a replay on the pitchside monitor beforw giving the 6time balondor winner his marching orders.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation’s competition committee met on Tuesday and deemed the challenge to be worthy of a two-game suspension.
Messi will miss Thursday’s trip to third division Cornella in the Copa del Rey and Sunday’s La Liga game away at Elche.
It was earlier thought that the ban would be 4 games.
Koeman said he could empathise with Messi’s frustration, saying the 33-year-old was fouled constantly during the clash against Athletic.
“I can understand what Messi did,” said Koeman, quoted by ESPN.
“I don’t know how many times they fouled him, and it’s normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”
Messi had only previously been sent off three times in his professional career and only once at club level. His first red card came in February 2005 in a league game for Barca B against Pena Sport.
He was expelled for his protests after not being awarded a penalty in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Barca beating Cornella means he will return for a round-of-16 tie in the Copa del Rey next week and will also be available for the league match at Camp Nou against Athletic, who beat Barca in Sunday’s final, on Jan. 31.
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