Diego Costa handed 8-game ban for allegedly abusing referee

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been banned for eight games after being found guilty of abusing a referee during a La Liga game last weekend.

The 30-year old, who was formerly at Chelsea, was sent off by official Jesus Gil Manzano during his side’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona.

Manzano said in his match report that Costa had “insulted his mother”, a claim the Spanish International denied.

The Spanish Football Federation’s ban rules him out of Atletico’s remaining La Liga fixtures this season.

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Costa, who can appeal against the ban, received a four game suspension for insults to the referee and a further four for grabbing the official’s arm.

“I asked the referee and he told me Costa said something to him,” Atletico manager Diego Simeone said after the game.

“Other players have said things and not been sent off but that does not justify what Costa did.”

Atletico are currently 11 points behind league leaders Barcelona in second place, with seven games remaining.

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