Espanyol submit complaint to RFEF over Robert Lewandowski

Espanyol have submitted a complaint to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) over the fact that Robert Lewandowski was allowed to play for Barcelona in the city derby over the weekend.

Lewandowski was sent off in Barça’s final game before the World Cup break against Osasuna in November. His ban was then set at three games over an alleged gesture towards the referee.

The Catalans launched an appeal to RFEF but had it rejected, before then taking the case higher to the Spain’s sports arbitration court. Yet the suspension was still upheld.

Lewandowski was therefore expected to miss La Liga games against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and Getafe. But because the case is still being investigated by a disputes court in Madrid, the ban has been temporarily lifted until a final decision on the matter is made.

The veteran striker played the full 90 minutes against Espanyol, who were less than pleased.

A statement from the club read, “Before the start of the match, the club notified in good faith both the referee of the match, Mr. Mateu Lahoz, like the RFEF itself about the presence in the rival eleven of the footballer Robert Lewandowski, who had to serve a penalty after his expulsion for a double yellow in the previous day of the national championship.

“RCD Espanyol, as announced on the eve of the match, will use all the resources at its disposal to defend its interests and those of our fans, aware that this flagrant injustice puts the essence of our competition at risk and that this injustice it is based on a hasty resolution and with obvious legal deficiencies.”