Barcelona will appeal against captain Lionel Messi's two-match ban he received for striking an Athletic Bilbao opponent. Messi received a red card after he lashed out at Asier Villalibre late in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat, hitting him with his arm. It was the first time the 33-year-old soccer superstar had ever been sent off while playing for Barcelona in 754 matches. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) handed down a two-game suspension on Tuesday but soon after Barcelona announced they would appeal. "FC Barcelona is to appeal the suspension issued to Leo Messi," a statement read. Messi is set to miss Thursday's last-32 Copa del Rey game away to Cornella and Sunday's La Liga trip to play Elche. The Barcelona captain escaped what could have been a lengthier ban. He would have faced a sanction ranging from four to 12 matches had the RFEF's competition committee described the incident as aggression. But it was instead reported as "violence during play", which is punished with a two to three game ban. He has received two red cards while playing for Argentina, including on his debut back in 2005. Australian Associated Press
