Barcelona's Gerard Pique could miss Clasico clash with Real Madrid due to suspension
The Blaugrana defender has received his fifth yellow card of the Liga campaign, with circumstances suggesting that he could be suspended for two games instead of just one
SOURCE: Goal, AS
However, Pique could now face a two-game ban if it is deemed that the booking he earned against Rayo was deliberate.
Modifications had been made to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Code in 2011, which states that any deliberate intent to receive a fifth yellow card can lead to an additional match suspension.
Article 112 of the Disciplinary Code reads: "Any player, who during the course of a game, provokes a fifth booking may be sanctioned with, in addition to the penalty provided for in the first paragraph of this article [a standard one-game ban], an extra one game suspension and fined the amount of €600. In determining the intent of the player, circumstances will be taken into account such as the nature of the breaching of the game rules and the attitude of the player during the match."
Evidence that will be taken into account include minutes taken by referee Perez Lasa during the Barcelona match against Rayo.
According to AS, Lasa noted in his referee match report: "On 83 minutes the player (3) Gerard Pique was booked for the following reason: Delaying the restart of play for his team with the intention of wasting time."
Barcelona are currently three points behind Real Madrid in the Primera Division league table, but have played one game more.
