Barcelona leave Neymar out of squad for Clasico against Real Madrid
Luis Enrique will be without the Brazilian, who is serving a three-game ban
The club lodged an appeal on Friday and felt until it was resolved he was able to play
Luis Enrique's squad for the Clasico against Real Madrid will not include Neymar due to the "uncertainty" the situation has produced.
Barcelona have expressed their annoyance at Spain's Court of Arbitration for Sport's [TAD] inability to deal with their appeal in a satisfactory manner.
The Catalan club lodged that appeal against Neymar's three-game ban with TAD on Friday.
Their understanding was that unless there was no official resolution, the suspension would be on hold.
A statement from TAD suggested otherwise, but they were unable to meet and to officially deal with the appeal.
Luis Enrique had said he was preparing for the game "with and without Neymar" and vice president Jordi Mestre said the Brazilian would travel to Madrid.
However, for risk of fielding an ineligible team, Barcelona have finally decided not to call up Neymar for the Clasico.
“Against the uncertainty due to the lack of reply from TAD with 12 hours to go until the game, and to focus all attention on sporting matters, the club have opted not to call up Neymar,” they confirmed in a statement.
“However, Barcelona expressed its amazement at TAD’s refusal to exercise its jurisdictional functions, something which directly damages both the clubs and the competition itself.”
