Atletico Madrid may have just suffered a heavy blow in their quest for the La Liga title. This follows a three-game touchline ban to Diego Simeone, which will see him sit out the remainder of his team’s league season.
The Argentine was sent to the stands during his side’s 1-0 win over Malaga on Saturday, April 23, after a ball was thrown onto the pitch from the technical area, interrupting a counter-attack from the visitors at the Vicente Calderon.
Although Simeone denied he had thrown the ball himself, he accepted that referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz followed correct procedure in sending him to the stands for the second half.
Diego Simeone has been given a three-game touchline ban which will see him sit out the remainder of Atletico Madrid’s league season.
He said after the game: “It’s clear that the referee made the right decision as per the regulations. He did what he had to do. There’s little more that can be said.
“It was a boy beside me [who threw the ball], but that doesn’t mean anything.”
However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has taken a dim view of the incident and opted to suspend Simeone for three matches, meaning he will not be present in the Atletico dug-out for the remainder of their title run-in.
The 45-year-old gaffer still has the option to appeal.
Atletico, who are level on points with Liga leaders Barcelona, face Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Celta Vigo in their final three games.
