Diego Costa Handed Eight-Match Ban

By Joshua Walters

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been given an eight-match ban after he was sent off in the game against Barcelona last weekend.

The former Chelsea striker was sent off for dissent in his side's 2-0 loss to the Catalans after a verbal confrontation with referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

The decision on the suspension was confirmed by The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Thursday with the punishment containing four matches for his foul-mouthed comments against the referee and four games for grabbing the referee's arm.

Though the player has been issued the ban by the federation, but the Madrid club has 10 working days to appeal to the decision.

The consequence of the player’s behaviour will keep him out of the side’s remaining seven games for the LaLiga this campaign as they are 11 points adrift table-toppers Barcelona after their defeat against them.

Costa has scored just twice in his sixteen LaLiga games aside from his one goal in four Champions League appearances this season.

The red card left Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simone devastated as he stressed after the game that the referee had turned a blind eye to similar incidents on many occasions.

 "Other players have said things and he doesn't send them off."

The Spanish forward made a return to the club from London-based club Chelsea for a fee of £57m having spent just three years where he scored 59 goals in 120 games for the club.