Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski was handed a three-match ban by the Spanish footballing body RFEF after his Poland team was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.
Lewandowski will return to Barcelona to prepare for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The Camp Nou team will restart the season with the Espanyol derby on December 31.
However, it is likely that Lewandowski will have to sit out without being able to play with Barcelona right away. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that the Polish striker could face a three-match ban.
Lewandowski was sent off for two bookings against Osasuna on November 8 and made a gesture, touching his nose as he left the pitch, which was considered disrespectful to referee Jesus Gil Manzano.
Barca won the game, but Lewandowski’s actions after his dismissal have seen his ban extended to three games.
As reported by SPORT, Barca appealed both the penalty card and the subsequent additional suspension. However, this action has no effect and the team is considering whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“It’s funny, because the gesture was for Xavi, not for the referee. It’s my fault, I saw two yellow cards, but the gesture was for (Xavi).” Lewandowski said.
Lewandowski and his teammates in Poland were unable to create a surprise in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup when they lost 1-3 to France. Poland’s honorable goal was scored by captain Lewandowski himself on the penalty spot in the 90+9 minute.
At the 2022 World Cup, Lewandowski got 2 goals. Besides scoring against France, the 34-year-old striker scored against Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Before that, he also missed a penalty in the opening match against Mexico.
