Barcelona star Luis Suarez: 'Referee wanted to send me off in Copa del Rey clash'

Barcelona star Luis Suarez has accused referee Jesus Gil Manzano of wanting to send him off in Tuesday night's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

The Uruguayan was given his marching orders in the final minute of the contest after receiving a second yellow card for appearing to elbow Koke.

Barcelona, who earned a 3-1 win on aggregate, will be without Suarez for the cup final, scheduled to be held on May 27.

After the game, Suarez suggested that the referee was waiting for an opportunity to issue a red card to the striker, who scored the only goal of the night at Camp Nou.

"I laughed at my sending-off, which you could see coming," Suarez told Gol TV. "Whatever [the referee] wanted to happen has happened.

"I am angry. The second yellow card wasn't even a foul. As usual, the referee didn't gave me any explanation."

Barcelona will face either Alaves or Celta Vigo in the final.