Lionel Messi, who was shown a yellow card for time-wasting after being struck on the head by a plastic bottle whilst celebrating Barcelona’s last gasp winner against Valencia on Sunday, will not have the decision rescinded.
Barcelona’s appeal against Messi’s yellow card has been rejected by the Spanish football federation.
Messi was celebrating Barça’s 94th-minute winner with his team-mates near the corner flag at the Mestalla stadium when the bottle was thrown from the stands.
Messi was examined by a member of Barcelona’s medical staff, but did not require any treatement.
The federation’s competition committee confirmed the that Barecelona’s appeal had been rejected and the booking will stand.
Valencia vowed to ban the bottle-throwing fan from the Mestalla for life once the person had been identified.
