BARCELONA, December 5 2014: Barcelona have successfully appealed the yellow card shown to Lionel Messi after he was hit by a bottle in last weekend’s game at Valencia.
The Argentina international was hit by the object during Barca’s celebrations after Sergio Busquet’s dramatic injury-time goal secured a 1-0 win at Mestalla.
Messi then complained to referee Fernandez Borbalan that he had been hit, but was booked, with the official stating in his match report that Messi had: “Delayed his return to the pitch after the goal was scored, in order to waste time”.
The incident drew a quick response from Valencia, who vowed to identify the supporter and issue them with a lifetime ban.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would keep the card on the 2014 Ballon d’Or nominee’s record, but the club have appealed against it and the governing body have rescinded the booking.
Though the booking would not have caused Messi to miss any game time, it has nevertheless been withdrawn by the RFEF.
Source: Goal.com
