Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been handed an extended three-game ban for his reaction to being sent off in his side’s comeback 2-1 win at Osasuna last Tuesday.
Lewandowski received a red card for two bookable offences in the 31st minute with Barca a goal down and responded as he left by the pitch by making a gesture — touching his nose and pointing toward the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano — which was later deemed disrespectful and arrogant by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
He denied the gesture was meant for the official, saying it was intended for his coach Xavi Hernandez following a conversation they had earlier this month, but the RFEF overlooked his explanation.
Lewandowski, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, will miss the Catalan derby against Espanyol scheduled for Dec. 31 and the away games against Champions League contenders Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, with LaLiga now breaking for six weeks to accommodate the World Cup.
