Dembele Handed 2-Match Ban; Set to Miss El Clasico

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is out of the Clasico meeting with Real Madrid after he was handed a two-match domestic suspension for his comments towards referee Mateu Lahoz.

Lionel Messi and head coach Ernesto Valverde had defended the former Borussia Dortmund star's actions, claiming that he doesn't speak Spanish well, suggesting that his punishment should be reduced as a result.

However, the Spanish Football Federation has upheld a two-game ban, meaning that Dembele will miss the league matches against Eibar and Real Madrid, subject to any appeal from the Catalans.

It is the latest setback in the 22-year-old’s Barcelona career, which has yet to really ignite since moving from Dortmund in the summer of 2017.