Barcelona will have to cope without Lionel Messi against Elche on Sunday after their bid to have the captain’s two-man ban overturned unsurprisingly failed.
Messi sat out Thursday’s win over Cornella in the Copa del Rey and will now complete his suspension at the weekend after the RFEF upheld their decision.
The Barca captain saw red in the final of the Spanish Super Cup after lashing out at substitute Asier Villalibre. It was the first red card of his Barcelona career.
“The Spanish FA have turned down FC Barcelona’s appeal against Leo Messi’s two match ban following his first ever red card in a Barça shirt against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup final.