Lionel Messi Handed Two-Game Ban For First Red Card Of Barcelona Career
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has escaped a lengthy ban for lashing out at Athletic Bilbao's Asier Villalibre in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final defeat and will only serve a two-game suspension.
The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday Messi had been banned for two matches, meaning he will miss Thursday's Copa del Rey last-32 tie at Cornellà and Sunday's LaLiga match at Elche. He is set to return to face Bilbao in the league on Jan. 29.