Pique's four-game ban upheld

Barcelona had appealed against the Spain defender's suspension for verbally abusing a linesman but the authorities rejected their plea Barcelonawill be without the services of star defender Gerard Piquefor four games after his appeal against the ban for verbally abusing a match official was rejected. The Spain international was dismissed on the hour mark for unleashing a verbal tirade at the linesman during the 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao after an offside decision did not go his side's way. Though he later apologised for his behaviour, he insisted that the extent of the abusive language was exaggerated and the club appealed the decision. He had been hopeful that he would see the length of the ban cutafter but the authorities have now ruled that he must sit out four matches. Having already missed the first game of the Liga season, ironically against Athletic at San Mames, he will now be unavailable for Saturday's match against Malaga, the daunting trip to Atletico Madrid on September 12 and September 20's game at home to Levante. Barcelona lost the Supercopa 5-1 on aggregate, but bounced back to win their first Liga game of the season 1-0, despite Lionel Messi's missed penalty.