Lionel Messi could be handed a 12 matches ban after his red card incident in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, MySportDab reports.
The Argentine was shown the first red card of his Barcelona career in the losing stages of extra time for his foul on Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre around the head.
According to MySportDab sources, if the Spanish FA deem the incident ‘aggressive’, they could review the incident.
If the incident is reviewed, Messi faces a suspension from four and 12 matches across all competitions.
Messi saw red for his off-the-ball swing at the opponent.
The ban if given would make Messi miss a significant part of the season.
Barcelona are currently third in the table and seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who still have two matches in hand.
If the Spanish FA conclude that it was not ‘aggressive’, then Messi’s ban will be reduced to one and three games.
Messi was very serious in the match as Koeman’s team tried to avoid another defeat in their first final under the new manager.
Barca were in the leading until the final minute of normal time before Villalibre scored.
The winner came in extra time three minutes later, when Iker Muniain’s pass found Inaki Williams and he scored with his right foot.
After the final, Ronald Koeman backed Messi on the red card incident.
‘I absolutely understand why Messi did that,’ Koeman said.
‘I can’t count how many times they fouled him.
‘It’s normal for you to react when everyone’s always trying to foul you as a player who plans to dribble with the ball, but I need to watch it again.’
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