Mascherano ban for two-match

Javier Mascherano

 Barcelona will be able to call on Javier Mascherano for next month's clash with Real Madrid after the Argentine received just a two-game ban for the red card against Eibar, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Mascherano was sent-off seven minutes from time in Barca's 3-1 win over the Basque minnows on Sunday by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande for a comment regarding the official's mother, according to the referee's report.

The former Liverpool man will be absent for Saturday's visit to Getafe and a home match against Villarreal on November 8.



Mascherano could have been banned for at least four games had the comment been deemed as a grave insult, which would have meant him missing the trip to Madrid on November 21.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club would not appeal the decision despite vice-president Jordi Mestre claiming earlier in the week it was a "moral and legal obligation" to defend their player.

"We respect the decision the competition committee has taken. We accept the two-game ban and therefore we are not going to appeal," Bartomeu told sports daily Marca ahead of Barca's Copa del Rey tie with Villanovense on Wednesday.


source.supersport.com