Breaking: Lewandoski Hit With 3 Match Ban A Day To World Cup Start

After receiving a red card in Barcelona’s win against Osasuna just before the World Cup break, Robert Lewandowski will sit out the team’s next three games.

The Pole received a one-match suspension after being dismissed in the 30th minute for a second bookable offense. He touched his nose, though, and pointed at the referee as he left the field. He allegedly had a problem with referee Gil Manzano’s haughtiness, although the official noted this in his match report. The former Bayern player has been given a second two-game suspension by the Competition Committee for displaying “disrespect for the referees.”

Barcelona protested both the additional two-game penalty and the first of his yellow cards, but those appeals were denied by the Competition Committee. Lewandowski will thus miss the games against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid, and Real Betis.

At halftime, Gerard Pique was also sent out for objecting to Lewandowski’s red card. For “insults, verbal abuse, and disrespectful attitudes,” he was given a four-game suspension; however, because he has since left football, he will just have to pay a 2400 euro fine.