Appeal Rejected, Koeman Will Not Accompany Barcelona Against Atletico

JAKARTA - Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman will certainly not accompany his squad in a crucial home match against La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid on Saturday, May 8 evening western Indonesia time.

According to a Reuters report, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday, the Spanish Football Federation rejected the club's appeal against Koeman's sanction.

The Dutchman was sent off from the sidelines during a 2-1 loss at home to Granada on April 30 for protesting excessively to fourth officials after Koeman was warned of his behavior.

He was suspended for one match, which was later extended to two by the federation's competition committee.

A statement from the competition committee said Koeman had been suspended for violating article 117 of the disciplinary code, which prohibits "showing disrespect towards referees, directors or sporting authorities".

Koeman already served the sentence in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Valencia on Monday 3 May, which left his team two points behind Atletico, and will also miss the match against the leaders at Camp Nou. Meanwhile his assistant Alfred Schreuder is ready to lead the team again.

Barca is currently third in the standings with 74 points and four matches remaining and will overtake Atletico if they win on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid sits second with 74 points and is scheduled to host the fourth-placed Sevilla on Monday, May 10.