Barca to keep fighting after Koeman's ban is upheld
Barcelona is to appeal to Spain's Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) after head coach Ronald Koeman's touchline ban for Sunday's (AEST) potential LaLiga title decider with Atletico Madrid was upheld.
Koeman was hit with a two-match suspension after being shown a red card for comments he supposedly made to the fourth official during his side's shock 2-1 home loss to Granada last Friday.
The 58-year-old sat out Monday's 3-2 win against Valencia, with assistant coach Alfred Schreuder placed in charge for the win that leaves Barca two points behind leaders Atletico ahead of this weekend's showdown.
Barcelona had hoped to have Koeman back for that massive game at Camp Nou, but it was announced on Wednesday that their appeal was not successful.
However, the Catalan giants will now take their case to TAD and have requested a temporary suspension of the ban which will allow the Dutchman to be on the touchline against Atletico.
Barca is also behind second-placed Real Madrid by virtue of an inferior head-to-head record and faces Levante, Celta Vigo and Eibar after the visit of Atleti.