Dismissed striker to miss Copa Del Rey final

The New York Times 21:45 - 09 February 2017

Barcelona's Luis Suarez reacts to a decision of the referee during their Spanish Copa del Rey semi final match against Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 7, 2017

The Uruguayan picked up a second yellow card for elbowing in a heated semi-final second leg.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will miss the Spanish Cup final after picking up a two-match tournament ban for his sending off and subsequent refusal to go to the dressing rooms in a tense semi-final with Atletico Madrid in midweek.

"He took way too long to leave the pitch and then when he did he hung out in the tunnel instead of going to the changing rooms," the Spanish Federation explained when giving Suarez a two-game ban instead of one.

Suarez scored the goal that gave Barca a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Tuesday to secure a 3-2 aggregate win.

The defending champions now play Alaves on May 27 in their fourth straight final.

Suarez will miss that game as well as the opening tie in next season's Spanish Cup.