Pique four-game ban upheld
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Barcelona defender Gerard Pique will miss his side's trip to Atletico Madrid next month after his appeal against a four-game ban was dismissed.
Pique was shown a straight red card for verbally abusing the linesman as Barça lost the Spanish Super Cup 5-1 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao last week.
The Spanish international was sidelined as the European champions gained revenge on Athletic with a 1-0 win to open the defence of their La Liga campaign last weekend.
However, he will now also miss home games against Malaga on Saturday and Levante on 20 September, as well as the daunting trip to the Vicente Calderon on 12 September.