Lewandowski will be available for Atletico Madrid, according to Barcelona.
Despite the ban hanging over his head, Barcelona anticipates being able to utilize Robert Lewandowski for their critical La Liga match against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Lewandowski received a three-game suspension for his gesture at the referee after he was dismissed against Osasuna in November. Barcelona appealed to the Tribunal for Sports Arbitration and the Royal Spanish Football Federation, both of which rejected their request to shorten the suspension.
However, the Blaugrana filed an appeal in a public court, and barely 24 hours before their derby matchup against Espanyol, their appeal was successful in getting the full suspension lifted until the outcome of the case.
Since Lewandowski should have been banned, Espanyol was outraged, severed “diplomatic connections” for the game, and filed a complaint with the RFEF asking for the three points and Barcelona to be penalized for playing an ineligible player. Given that the RFEF have no control on the court, it is likely to be dismissed.
Barcelona “takes it as a given” that Lewandowski’s suspended sentence will remain in effect for their match against Atletico Madrid, according to Diario AS. Before a judgement is reached, all parties will be given the opportunity to submit their cases in the next days – either this week or the week after.
As the court deliberates the case in depth, the ruling can take two weeks to many months. However, after hearing those arguments, they will determine whether to keep his ban suspended.
Barcelona will be entitled to use Lewandowski up until the issue is settled if it is upheld. They won’t know for sure, however, when the suspension will end, and they could be without him for the return El Clasico.
If Barcelona succeeds in their legal battle and shortens the sentence, Lewandowski will have have fulfilled the punishment. In the opposite scenario, Lewandowski will begin serving the three-game suspension right away. A compensation package will be their only option.
Barcelona will be happy that Lewandowski was able to play in two crucial games, but the situation is now out of their control. They may pay for it afterwards, which for many people would be reasonable. Others will believe they are breaking the rules, Espanyol being one of them.
