Former Barcelona and Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, now with Swedish side Helsingborg, has been for two matches by the Swedish FA on Friday.


The incident goes back to the match Helsingborg vs. Elfsborg on August 19, when Larsson was accused of punching defender Jon Jonsson during the match. The referee did not see Larsson´s action but Larsson was caught by television. This prompted an investigation by the Swedish Football Association. Larsson said in his statement he had not used his fist but admitted he had pushed Jonsson with his open hand and that the blow was not hard.


The Swedish FA decided that the blow took place in retaliation for Jonsson´s actions against Larsson and not to get him free. Larsson therefore has committet an offence of current regulations and there has been penalised with a 2 match ban.


The two games Larsson will miss include one against Helsingborg's local south Sweden rivals Malmo.

After the match, FC Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson spoke about his emotional feelings and his final decision to leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season:

I am very happy here, but all things have their time and I now have to go home. I am a bit sad because it was my last game at home, but now we have the final in Paris. I have no words to describe how grateful I am to the fans, it has been a pleasure. They have asked me to stay on various occasions, but it is time to go home. My family want to go back.

Henrik Larsson will leave FC Barcelona will lose a fine character and a player with a very professional attitude. He has been a legend at Celtic Glasgow and we know why. Only two year´s in Barcelona he won the hearts of the fans.



FC Barcelona Blog wishes Henrik Larsson all the best for his return to Helsingborg.

Henrik Larsson comes back to the squad named by Frank Rijkaard for the Champions League Match against AC Milan tomorrow at Camp Nou. Sweden striker is recuperated of his injury and he is ready to play this important match.

Máxi López also comes back to the squad as well as Gabri. Barça coach has not included Ezquerro and Rodri in the final list. Messi, Oleguer and Xavi - all of them are not still complety recuperate of their respective injuries - are also out of the list.
Deco comes back to the squad after missing the first leg match at San Siro due to yellow card's acummulation.


The final 18 Barça players included in the squad for the second leg match at Camp Nou by Frank Rijkaard for the match against AC Millan is: Valdés, Jorquera, Puyol, Iniesta, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Márquez, Deco, Giuly, Belletti, Larsson, Motta, Eto'o, Maxi, Ronaldinho, Gabri, Gio y Van Bommel.

Any signs coming from the Barça technical staff show that Sylvinho, Andres Iniesta and Ludovic Giuly could be the three new player´s in the FC Barcelona team that will start against CA Osasuna. Sylvinho would replace Gio, a normal procedure in the Primera Championship. Sylvinho started 16 of 26 championship matches while in the Championsleage he started none but came on as a substitute 8 times in 8 matches. It seems that Ludovic Giuly will receive his chance this Sunday and the Barça winger will replace injured Lionel Messi who will e sidelined for about 1 month. Ludovic Giuly would take the free space and Barça striker Henrik Larsson and Santi Ezquerro will have to take place on the bench.

Henrik Larsson believes that the best team won in last night's Champions League battle between FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC.


Last night's match ended with a 1-1 draw which saw Barça through to the next round with a 3-2 win on aggregate.


Chelsea showed some attacking and basically great defensive football but they couldn't stop the quality of a spectacular goal from Ronaldinho. Lampard equalised from the non-penalty spot in injury time but it was too late for Chelsea to make anything more of the game.

I think the best team won and that team was Barça" said Larsson to ITV.

Barcelona played a good side tonight - but over the two legs I think we deserved to win this game.

We tried to play our normal game. But we knew Chelsea would attack and we had to be aware we didn't allow too much space behind us, because they are very quick on the counter-attack, added Larsson.

It is very important to be going through to the next round in the Champions League and we are very happy with that.