The Barcelona forward Neymar will miss the clásico against Real Madrid this month after being given a three-match ban following his red card at Málaga on Saturday.
Neymar, 25, picked up a needless second yellow card for wiping out Diego Llorente in the 65th minute of the 2-0 defeat at La Rosaleda, which earned the Brazil international a one-match suspension.
However, his sarcastic applause towards the officials after he was cautioned for a second time has resulted in an additional two-match ban, as it was deemed an infringement of article 117 of the RFEF’s disciplinary code.
The RFEF, Spanish football’s governing body, confirmed the sanctions on its website on Tuesday. Article 117 addresses “attitudes of contempt or disregard for referees, managers or authorities”.
Neymar will miss this weekend’s home game against Real Sociedad, the 23 April trip to the Bernabéu, and the home clash with Osasuna three days later.
The La Liga leaders Real Madrid had earlier on Saturday been held to a 1-1 draw by their city rivals Atlético, meaning Luis Enrique’s side could have moved top of the table with victory.
However, Sandro scored on the break against his former club on 32 minutes and the substitute Jony Rodríguez added a late second after Neymar’s dismissal, meaning Real finished the weekend three points clear of Barça and with a game in hand.