Rico Lewis will miss Manchester City‘s next two games at the Club World Cup after his ban was extended following his red card against Wydad AC.
Lewis sat out the 6-0 win over Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday after he was sent off late on during the 2-0 win over Wydad in Philadelphia for a challenge on Samuel Obeng.
Pep Guardiola said afterwards the red card was “unnecessary.”
Lewis was handed an initial one-match ban, but it has now been extended to three matches meaning the 20-year-old will miss the last group game against Juventus on Thursday in Orlando, Florida, and City’s last-16 tie.
A statement issued by FIFA read: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanction on Manchester City’s Rico Lewis who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA Club World Cup match against Wydad AC. Three-match suspension for breach under article 14 paragraph 1 e) of the FIFA disciplinary code.”
A source has ESPN that City appealed the decision, but that it was unsuccessful.
It leaves Guardiola with a selection dilemma ahead of the game against Juventus, with City needing a win to secure top spot in their group.
Lewis is the only natural right-back in the squad, although midfielder Matheus Nunes was used there regularly last season.
Abdukodir Khusanov started at right-back against Al Ain while centre-back Manuel Akanji has been used to fill in. Natural right-back Kyle Walker is not with the squad in the U.S. as he looks to secure a move away from the Etihad Stadium.
City, according to sources, have not ruled out signing a right-back this summer with Juventus man Andrea Cambiaso one of the names in the frame.
