Speaking at a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup (h/t SPORT), Barcelona superstar and Poland captain has reacted to the three-match ban handed to him by the La Liga Competition Committee following his red card in the game against Osasuna.
Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-1 in their final league game before the World Cup break but they had to do it with just ten men on the field as Lewandowski had been sent off just thirty minutes into the match.
Earlier this week, the Competition Committee decided to hand the 34-year-old striker a three-match ban – one game for his sending-off and two more for the gestures he made while walking off the pitch, even though Lewandowski had clarified that his hand movements were not aimed at the referee but his manager, Xavi.
Barcelona have decided to appeal the ban deeming it too long and unfair and now Lewandowski has given his verdict on the three-match suspension, stating it was too excessive and severe.
“An excessive sanction, too severe. It’s too long,” Lewandowski said.
Further explaining his gesture while walking off, the striker added: “But it wasn’t for him, it was for the coach, everyone knows it because it was in his direction and not the referee.”
On whether there was a sense of bias against him and Barcelona in the decision, he said: “I don’t think that the Committee that is in Madrid has sanctioned me with more games because they are important matches for Barcelona, against Espanyol and Atlético, I simply think it is too high.”
“I am confident that Barça will manage to reverse the situation,” he added.
As things stand Lewandowski will miss the derby against Espanyol and matches against tricky opponents like Atletico Madrid and Real Betis is his three-game ban is held up. Whether Barcelona’s appeal against the sanction is successful or is turned down remains to be seen.