IN SPORT.ES
Barcelona's appeal for Gerard Pique's booking in last weekend's win over Levante at Camp Nou has been rejected by the Competition Committee. Pique, therefore, will be suspended for Sunday's league game at Real Betis.
The Catalan saw yellow for the 10th time in La Liga this season against Levante for a foul on Borja Mayoral. Barça had launched an appeal but learned on Wednesday it had not been fruitful.
Barca had felt Pique had gone for the ball in the challenge but the Competition Committee sided with referee Cordero Vega and the caution stands.
Now, the Blaugrana must decide if they take it to the Appeals Committee or accept the suspension, which will leave them with just Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet as their only available centre-backs at the Benito Villamarin this weekend.