Barcelona confirm Neymar will miss Clasico after ban confusion

The Brazilian forward was sent off in the 2-0 Liga defeat at Malaga after abusing the officials and received a three-game ban.

But Barcelona made a late appeal to Spain's Court of Arbitration for Sport [TAD] in an attempt to suspend the sentence for the game against Real Madrid.

However, it was revealed on Sunday morning that the Catalan club had failed in their bid after TAD were unable to convene a meeting to decide on the matter but released a statement saying the ban was immediately enforceable and that Barca would be punished if he played at the Bernabeu.

Barca responded in a statement, saying: "Against the uncertainty due to the lack of reply from TAD with 12 hours to go until the game, and to focus all attention on sporting matters, the club have opted not to call up Neymar.

"However, Barcelona expresses its amazement at TAD's refusal to exercise its jurisdictional functions, something which directly damages both the clubs and the competition itself."

Paco Alcacer in now expected to start alongside Leo Messi and Luis Suarez as Luis Enrique’s side attempt to draw level on 75 points at the top of La Liga.