Diego Costa receives eight-match ban
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been giving an eight-match suspension in La Liga following his red card at Barcelona.
Marca, Diario AS and Cadena Ser all say that the Spain international will sit out four games due to his insults to the referee and a further four for grabbing his arm.
There had initially been suggestions that the former Chelsea player would receive a 12-game ban, but this decision is set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
The striker was shown a straight red card during Saturday’s loss at Barcelona by referee Gi Manzano, who stated in his post-match report that Costa insulted his mother, and that was the reason for the dismissal.
Costa has denied using a derogatory term towards the referee and his manager Diego Simeone has came to the defence of his striker:
“The sanction seems to me to be greatly exaggerated,” Simeone told reporters on Friday, as cited by Marca.
“Costa’s season was not good but that is as a result of injuries, I repeat – because of injuries.
“We hope he comes back for us strongly in pre-season and finds his rhythm with us once more.”