Filipe Luis ban for horror tackle on Messi reduced to one match
Filipe Luis' three-match suspension for a crude challenge on Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been reduced to one game on appeal.
The Atletico Madrid left back was sent off in a 2-1 defeat to Barca on Saturday after a high, mistimed tackle on the stroke of halftime left Messi on the floor and the home bench enraged.
RED CARD. Filipe Luis with a HORROR TACKLE ON @TeamMessi. @Atleti down to 10. #LaLiga https://t.co/NgsatiMY6j
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 30, 2016
Barca coach Luis Enrique described the challenge as "shocking" and the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee settled on a three-game suspension due to the "gravity of the action."
Atletico, which also had Diego Godin sent off for picking up two yellow cards, announced its appeal Wednesday, with sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero claiming the punishment was not in line with previous cases. And the RFEF's Appeals Committee has decided to reduce Filipe Luis' ban by two matches.
He will now miss Saturday's clash with Eibar, but will be available for subsequent fixtures against Getafe and Villarreal.
