Barcelona duo at risk of shock El Clasico suspension after yellow card controversy
- Robert Lewandowski & Joao Cancelo both controversially booked in Saturday's win over Las Palmas
- Duo expecting one-game bans for accumulating yellow cards but could face harsher punishments
- Barcelona face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu later this month
By Tom Gott
Barcelona duo Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo are at risk of suspensions from La Liga after picking up controversial yellow cards in Saturday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.
Both players headed into the game with four yellow cards to their names and knowing their next caution would see them handed an automatic one-game ban, which the pair are currently set to serve against Cadiz next time out.
However, both players have since been accused of intentionally getting themselves booked to ensure that they are not at risk of missing El Clasico against Real Madrid one week later - a blatant breach of La Liga's disciplinary rules.
La Liga rules state that any player who is found to have intentionally got themselves booked to manipulate a suspension will be issued with a fine and an extra game on the sidelines. Should Lewandowski or Cancelo be found guilty of doing so, they would be banned for El Clasico on April 21.
Lewandowski's caution has attracted particular confusion. With ten minutes remaining, the striker was substituted but Lewandowski did not immediately respond to the call to leave the pitch, with the referee later deciding he was deliberately wasting time and pulling out the yellow card.
Eight minutes later, Cancelo was booked for a cynical trip, earning himself his fifth caution of the season and the one-game ban that comes with it.
La Liga's disciplinary panel will now examine both incidents to determine the intent of Lewandowski and Cancelo, who will definitely miss Barcelona's game with Cadiz but could be banned for the trip to Real Madrid if they are found to have intentionally picked up bookings.
Inigo Martinez also picked up his fifth caution of the season on the hour mark but the centre-back is under less scrutiny as the timing of his booking suggests it was not pre-planned. His caution will also be examined but he is expected to see his one-game suspension confirmed quickly.
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