By Oyinlola Awonuga-Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Lionel Messi could face a serious suspension after he was sent off in the final minute of the Supercopa de Espana final against Athletic Club, hitting out at Asier Villalibre away from the ball.
Centre referee Jesus Gil Manzano missed the incident, but the VAR room advised him to take a look and he produced a first straight red card for the Argentine at Barca.
It remains to be seen how it will be described in the referee’s report, but it will likely go down as a serious offence and, based on Article 98 of the rules, that would mean Messi would face at least four matches out and at most 12. The most likely ban would be a four-game suspension.
Article 56.8 of the rules explains that suspensions picked up in the Supercopa will carry on to the next domestic matches, like it did for Fede Valverde after he was sent off in last year’s final.
Messi, then, would miss Barcelona’s midweek Copa del Rey game against Cornella and then one more Copa match if they progress plus two LaLiga Santander matches.
If Barcelona lose in the next round of the Copa, then it would be three LaLiga Santander matches.
In Sunday’s final, Athletic Bilbao shocked Barcelona 3-2 to emerge champions of the Super Cup for a third time.
