OFFICIAL: Diego Costa banned for eight matches for ref attack
The Brazilian insulted and grabbed the official during the clash with Barca
Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa has been hit with an eight game by the Spanish Federation (RFEF) for his red card against Barcelona on Saturday.
The forward was dismissed for insulting referee Gil Manzano at Camp Nou. Atletico Madrid can appeal the decision but as things stand Costa will miss the rest of the season.
The RFEF's Competition Committee have applied Artiles 94 and 96 of their regulations. Article 94 suggests a ban of between "four and 12 games for insulting, offending or approaching in a x manner the main referee, his assistant or the fourth official."
Meanwhile, Article 96 points to Costa grabbing the referee. "Grabbing or posing the referee can result in a suspension of between four and 12 games," it explains.
Costa, therefore, has been banned for four games for insulting the referee and fine €3,0005. He has also been suspended for an additional four matches for grabbing the referee and fined an additional €3,500.
Atletico are likely to take the case to the Appeals Committee. They have 10 days to do so. If they don't Costa will say goodbye to the season. There are just seven games left.
