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Espanyol file official complaint over Robert Lewandowski being ‘improperly fielded’
Published 11:57 3 Jan 2023 GMT
Homesport
Lewandowski featured for Barcelona against Espanyol
Espanyol have filed an official complaint after Robert Lewandowski was allowed to play in the Catalan derby. Lewandowski was given a three-game before the break for the World Cup after being dismissed against Osasuna. The Poland international was shown two yellow cards within half an hour but it was the gesture he made to the officials that earned him an extra two-game ban.
Barcelona promptly appealed the decision, and with the outcome still ongoing, Lewandowski was granted a special reprieve so that he was allowed to play in the game on New Year's Eve.
His presence wasn't enough for the three points as Barça were held to a 1-1 draw but Espanyol were left seething and called the decision a "flagrant injustice."
A statement on the club's website said: "RCD Espanyol has filed a complaint with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to challenge the match against FC Barcelona, corresponding to the 15th LaLiga, for improper alignment.
"Before the start of the match, the club notified in good faith both the referee of the match, Mr. Mateu Lahoz, and the RFEF itself about the presence in the rival eleven of footballer Robert Lewandowski, who had to serve a sanction after being sent off for a double yellow in the previous day of the national championship.
"RCD Espanyol, as announced on the eve of the match, will use all the resources at its disposal to defend its interests and that of our fans, aware that this flagrant injustice puts the essence of our competition at risk and that this injustice is based on a hasty resolution and with obvious legal deficiencies."
Barça are next in action on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey against Intercity before facing Atlético Madrid this weekend.
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