Pique free to face Real Madrid
December 02, 2011 12:46:32 UK
Gerard Pique will be able to play in El Clasico later this month after the Barcelona defender escaped with a one-match ban after picking up five yellow cards this season.
Pique was booked for time-wasting in the 83rd minute of Barca's 4-0 win against Rayo Vallecano earlier this week, so picking up an automatic one-match ban for receiving five cautions.
He misses this weekend's meeting with Levante, a game Barca are 7.50 to win 2-0, with Lionel Messi 2.60 to open the scoring.
However, it had been alleged that Pique deserved further punishment for deliberately seeking a caution so as to avoid the risk of being suspended for the Real Madrid game.
He has escaped further censure though, with a statement on Barcelona's official website saying: "Gerard Pique will miss the league match at Camp Nou on Saturday through suspension after the competition committee confirmed his suspension for the accumulation of cards.
"He was booked in the second half against Rayo, his fifth since the start of the league season, and must serve a one-match ban against Levante."
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Barcelona are 34.00 to win La Liga once again this season and 1213.00 to claim the Champions League for a third time in four years.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Camp Nou until 2015.
The 21-year-old said: "I have gone through all the categories, I fought hard, I had some difficult years. I was ready to leave the club, not everything always goes well. I am a born fighter, and I never wanted to leave here. I'm very happy."
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