Abu Dhabi: Players who pick up red cards at the Fifa Club World Cup shouldn’t then have to serve the suspension back home in their domestic leagues, according to La Liga boss Javier Tebas.

The current rule means that if a Real Madrid player gets sent off in Saturday’s Club World Cup final with Gremio in Abu Dhabi, he will then miss the potentially season-defining El Clasico at home to Barcelona on December 23.

“I was surprised because I didn’t know the rules of the Club World Cup,” Tebas told Spanish sports daily Marca. “It’s not right because they must be absolutely independent competitions and it should not affect our competition.

“I have asked for a report looking into it and I hope that the rules can be changed in the future, as they shouldn’t affect other competitions.”

Real coach Zinedine Zidane had also questioned the rule on the sidelines of the competition in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s one thing that can happen and the players will keep that in mind,” he said. “It’s a bit tough that a red in this Club World Cup can affect the league, but I am positive and I know that nothing will happen and that [all the players] will be available against Barcelona.”

On the controversial introduction of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) to La Liga, Tebas added: “VAR has worked in many places, but we only remember when there are doubts.

“In Germany, it was used in more than 170 games and I think they have faced problems twice. The same in Italy, with only one problematic case.

“We only remember it when there is a problem, but in most of the games it works very well.”

And on the chances of Spanish clubs in the UEFA Champions League Last 16, Tebas said: “Some clubs will qualify, but the Champions League is very complicated. We must value Spanish football’s success in the tournament, because it is very difficult. It was strange when English teams weren’t in that stage in recent years.”

Spanish sides have won the last four consecutive Champions League titles, three by record 12-time winners Real and one from five-time winners Barca. Real will play Paris Saint Germain in the last 16, Barca will meet Chelsea and Sevilla have drawn Manchester United.