ESPNsoccernet: Europe

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has had his appeal against a red card in last week's victory over Sporting Gijon rejected and will miss this weekend's visit to Racing Santander.

Gerard Pique was given his marching orders at the start of the second half (GettyImages)

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Pique, 25, was sent off for hauling down Miguel De las Cuevas on the edge of the area, with the referee adjudging him to have been the last man.

The Spain centre-back was left incensed by the dismissal and lodged an appeal after the match, but Barca have revealed the Appeals Committee ruled that the referee's decision was justified.

Subsequently, Pique will have to serve a one-match suspension - leaving him ineligible to play againt Racing this Sunday - and will return for next week's trip to Sevilla.

Barca are currently ten points behind Real Madrid in the Primera Division title race.