Star Forward Neymar Jr will not be in the starting line-up for Barcelona in what will arguably be the title-deciding match of the season for both Real Madrid and Barcelona; the El Clasico.
This development deals a big blow to Barcelona’s hopes of denying their fierce rivals a first La Liga crown in five years.
Barcelona appealed to Spain’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) late on Friday over Neymar’s three-game ban in the hope it would be lifted temporarily, which would have allowed him to take part in the must-win showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But with the pivotal clash looming at 1845 GMT on Sunday, Barcelona have indicated that they were abandoning their bid to have Neymar available.
“Given the legal uncertainty of the lack of a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the game tonight less than 12 hours away, and to focus all attention on the sporting aspect, the club has decided not to call up Neymar,” an angry Barcelona statement said.
The Catalans said the TAD had created “a huge legal void”.
Neymar is in the middle of a suspension for his red card and subsequent sarcastic applause of the officials in Barca’s damaging 2-0 defeat to Malaga two weeks ago.
The club had argued that until a ruling on the appeal is held, Neymar’s ban should be suspended and therefore allow him to feature at the Bernabeu.
“As a coach, I am prepared to play with Neymar or without him,” manager Luis Enrique said on Saturday.
In the absence of a TAD ruling, Barca would have been taking an enormous risk by playing Neymar as they could have been sanctioned with a defeat for fielding an ineligible player.
Enrique says this is his last Clasico as he will be leaving Barcelona this summer, making the game a must-win.
“Given how close it is to the end of the season it is a decisive weekend,” said Enrique.
“This time a Clasico can decide or almost decide the league or leave it very open. For us it is like a final, only a win will do.”