Xavi angry and surprised by Nacho Fernandez's reduced suspension

Xavi Hernández didn't want to express too much indignation at the difference in treatment between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona when it comes to sanctions for their players, but he did speak up on Friday.

He is angry and very surprised that Nacho Fernandez''s punishment for his indecent tackle on Portu in the Girona-Real Madrid game has been reduced. The reduction from three games to two will allow the Madrid defender to play in the Clásico on the 28th October at the Lluís Companys stadium. 

Nacho was banned for three matches but this week it emerged that the Appeals Committee decided to reduce the punishment.

"This is a question for the committee. It's surprising, we appealed Lewandowski's gesture and they didn't listen to us. It surprises me, to put it bluntly," Xavi said.

Cross-examined, Xavi insisted that as a former professional player this kind of situation inflamed him: "As a sportsman and a former player, I'm surprised that they changed their decision. It is a very dangerous action where Nacho could have injured a team-mate." 

In addition, of course, to the favourable treatment received by a Real Madrid player considering that for simply touching his nose as he left the pitch, Lewandowski was given a three-match ban and the Committee ignored FC Barcelona's appeals.

"We didn't get it downgraded when Lewandowski touched his nose. It's surprising, as I said. Barça went as far as going to CAS to have the sanction reduced," he added.  

SPORT have already reported that this decision created indignation in the Barça dressing room because of the comparison to the Polish striker, but they were not overly surprised by the different yardstick between the Madrid club and FC Barcelona.

"It's the same as always," the Barça players were quoted as saying. 

Known Madridista

The controversy surrounding Nacho's reduction has been growing because it has been revealed that one of the members who decided to take a match off him is a well-known Real Madrid supporter, a member of the Appeals Committee, Luis Cazorla. 

On his X profile (formerly Twitter), which he has now privatised, he wrote things like "I don't want to tell you how much of a Madrid fan I am...", "Hala Madrid" and in one of his comments, Cazorla also publicly admits to being a member of the club presided over by Florentino Pérez.

"I've been a member for 24 years and for me the captain of Madrid is Arbeloa, I see Madrid like him," he said.