Suarez to miss Copa del Rey final after red card vs. Atletico
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will miss the Copa del Rey final on May 27, after seeing red for two yellow-card offences in the semi-final meeting with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The first yellow card was acquired in the 87th minute following Kevin Gameiro's equaliser for Atletico to make it 1-1 on the night (3-2 on aggregate).
And in the 90th minute, Suarez sealed his fate for the final when his elbow collided with Koke, forcing the ref to go to his pocket and dismiss the striker.
After the match, Suarez said he was shocked with the decision that he deemed was unfair.
"I laughed as it seemed the ref wanted to (send me off). It was not even a foul. The first yellow was first foul in whole game," Suarez said, as reported by ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan.
Related: Barcelona holds off Atletico to reach 4th consecutive Copa del Rey final
It was a game full of controversy as Suarez was the third player to be sent off in a semi-final that also included a missed penalty and a fair goal that was ruled to be offside.
Barcelona will play either Celta Vigo or Alaves in the final. The first leg finished 0-0 between the two trophy aspiring clubs.
But Los Blaugrana will also be without defender Sergi Roberto who saw red as well for two yellow-card offences - the first coming in the 19th minute and the second in the 57th minute, for a rash tackle on Filipe Luis.
The defending champion eased past Valencia 8-1 on aggregate to reach the final last year and if this year is any indication of things to come, it will have its work cut out in the final without two significant squad members.
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