Spanish media reported that the Brazilian will travel with the Barcelona squad for the game in Madrid despite doubts over his eligibility for selection.
There has been widespread confusion about Neymar’s availability after he was handed a three-game ban following a sending-off in a game against Malaga this month. “The club requests the TAD issue a resolution,” Barca said in a statement on Saturday.
“It is not true that FC Barcelona has asked for an opinion on whether the player is eligible or not. What the TAD was asked is that they assess the appeal and, subsequently, declare the player’s availability. The club is still waiting for an answer from the TAD." The standard period of suspension for two yellow cards is one game, but Neymar's conduct towards the officials after his dismissal led the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to hand down an additional two-match punishment. Neymar has served the first game of his ban and Barca are still contesting that the additional two-game suspension is excessive.
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(Reporting by Joseph Cassinelli, editing by Ed Osmond)
