Atletico’s Luis has suspension reduced to 1 game

Referee Undiano Mallenco, second left, shows a red card to Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis, centre back. (Manu Fernandez/AP)

MADRID — Atletico Madrid says Filipe Luis’ suspension for a dangerous foul on Lionel Messi has been reduced from three games to one.

The Brazilian defender earned a straight red card for sticking his studs into Messi’s knee while going for the ball just before halftime in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atletico at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Atletico appealed the initial three-match suspension on Wednesday, saying it was too harsh. The club said that other players who committed similar fouls in the past were only suspended one match. It added that Luis has never been a violent player and did not intend to harm Messi.

The Brazilian will miss Atletico’s game against Eibar on Saturday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

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