Barcelona's Suarez ban rejected

Luis Suarez will miss Barcelona’s cup game against Athletic Bilbao after the appeal against his two-game suspension was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Luis Enrique had not named him in his original squad for the
game, but it was expected that he would make the trip if the
CAS sided in Barca's favour.

The Uruguayan was handed the ban after the referee’s
report alleged he’d incited a bust up in the tunnel after the
4-1 win over Espanyol in a Copa del Rey earlier this month.

“I’m waiting for you, come here! You’re a waste of space,”
he reportedly shouted at Espanyol’s players.

However, Barca claim those words did not come from
Suarez and took their appeal to the CAS, who ultimately
rejected the appeal on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old served the first game of his ban during last
week’s 2-0 win over Espanyol at Cornella-El Prat.

He will now miss the first leg of the quarter-final tie with
Athletic, but will be free to return for the second leg which
takes place at Camp Nou next week.

Lionel Messi is also out of Barca’s trip to San Mames after
Luis Enrique decided not to risk him.

The Argentine was taken off at half time of Sunday’s La Liga
win over the Basque side due to a pain in his hamstring, but
tests later revealed there was no injury.

However, Enrique has decided to leave Messi in Barcelona
as a precaution, meaning Neymar will be the only member
of the club’s feared front line available against Athletic.