Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Andres Iniesta Avoids Ban Hours Before Copa Del Rey

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Hours before Barcelona and Real Madrid's Copa del Rey clash in Valencia, Barcelona's prolific midfielder Andres Iniesta received a reprieve from FIFA and won't miss the opening leg of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid on April 27.

Iniesta was accused of deliberately picking up a yellow card during Barcelona's 5-1 triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk to trigger an automatic ban for the return leg in Ukraine. UEFA officials reported Iniesta's actions and he faced a suspension for the crucial opening leg at the Bernabéu.

Barcelona appealed the decision and FIFA ruled just hours before the Catalans' Copa del Rey tilt against Madrid that Iniesta would face no further penalties.

Barcelona posted on their official website:

FC Barcelona sent its allegations to the governing body of European football appealing against the proposal to ban the player for an additional match as a result of the yellow card shown in the quarter final of the Champions League against Shakhtar.

Iniesta will therefore be able to play in the Champions League semi final against Real Madrid at Bernabéu. UEFA has announced that it will not be suspending the midfielder. FC Barcelona sent its allegations to the governing body of European football appealing against the proposal to ban the player for an additional match as a result of the yellow card shown in the quarter final of the Champions League against Shakhtar on April 6. UEFA have also announced that he will not face any financial penalty. That means the player will be available for selection by Pep Guardiola in the first leg of the Champions League semi final tie with Madrid.

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