Barca s Neymar to miss Madrid clash

Madrid April 22 (IANS) FC Barcelona striker Neymar Jr. will be unavailable for Sunday s El Clasico against bitter rivals Real Madrid after Spain s Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) said on Saturday that it was unable to hear the Catalan club s bid to allow him to play.

TAD said the team s appeal arrived after the court s weekly meeting had already concluded Friday afternoon and that an extraordinary session could not be arranged for Saturday morning because the requirements for such a gathering had not been met.

Barcelona s appeal according to the TAD did not request any precautionary measures that are required for a potential stay of a suspension but merely asked the court to declare the player s full availability for Sunday s match against Real Madrid.

The Spanish football federation s competition committee decided to suspend Neymar for three games - one match for being sent off and two more for taunting a referee after receiving the red card during an April 8 match against Malaga that Barça lost 2-0.

The Brazilian superstar also missed the Catalans match against Real Sociedad on April 15.

--IANS
ajb/bg