Barcelona have secured a temporary injunction from a Madrid court to allow Robert Lewandowski plays against Espanyol in Saturday’s derby.
The injunction has now put the striker’s three-match ban handed to the polish striker by the Spanish Football Federation(RFEF) on hold.
Poland international Lewandowski was shown two yellow cards in the first half of Barca’s last match before the World Cup break – a 2-1 win at Osasuna on November 8.
The (RFEF) issued Lewandowski with an extended three-game punishment due to an alleged gesture made towards referee Gil Manzano after being dismissed, although the player said it had been aimed at his own coach, Xavi.
Barcelona said in a statement on Friday: “Lewandowski can play tomorrow against Espanyol after the dispute settlement court in Madrid issued a precautionary measure against the suspension imposed by the court of arbitration for sport.”
Lewandowski has claimed the suspension is “too much for what I did”, and the former Bayern Munich man said it would be “painful” to sit out three games.
The full ban may yet apply, but for now it is on hold, a surprise development, particularly in regard to the timing.
Lewandoski has become an integral part of the Blaugranas in the current season having scored 18 goals in 19 games so far.