Xavi could miss Real Madrid clash as he faces a three-match ban

While Barcelona walked away with a handsome 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid from the Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday, manager Xavi Hernandez returned with a red card.

The 44-year-old tactician was sent off in the first half for his protests and gestures on the touchline against a decision by the referee.

Having initially been shown a yellow card in the 41st minute, the Barcelona manager saw a straight red a couple of minutes later after he appeared to say something to the fourth official.

Xavi to miss El Clasico?

It was initially reported that Xavi could be suspended for two games, meaning he would not be on the touchline against Las Palmas and Cadiz.

However, now, SPORT reports that Xavi could also end up missing the El Clasico against Real Madrid as the prospect of a three-match ban looms large on the Barcelona boss.

The Competition Committee will meet this Wednesday, despite the fact that there are no La Liga matches this week, but there are second division matches next weekend, so it will have to resolve the open cases from the last matchday.

Even though a two-match ban would be the norm, Xavi is a repeat offender, and as such, he could be sanctioned with another match.

In that case, he would not be able to sit on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu for the Clásico against Real Madrid on 21 April.

Barcelona will not appeal verdict

In the past, Barcelona have always appealed against extended suspensions to try and reduce or overturn the verdict.

However, this time out, the report states that the La Liga champions have no intentions of appealing whatever decision the Competition Committee takes on Wednesday.

The Catalan club do not want any controversy nor they do wish to waste time or energy by lodging an appeal, and as such, they intend to abide by the ruling made by the committee.