Diego Simeone has been given a three-game touchline ban after a ball was thrown onto the pitch in Atletico Madrid’s win over Malaga.
The ball was sent from the sidelines onto the field of play in what was alleged to be an attempt to disrupt a Malaga counter-attack, with Atletico leading 1-0.
The Competition Committee has given Simeone a three-game ban, even though Cholo denied that he who threw the ball onto the pitch.
Simeone has also been fined just over €3,000, and Atletico have been fined slightly more than €1,000.
As it stands Simeone will be in the stands for games against Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Celta Vigo, the final three games of the season, though Atletico have yet to confirm if they intend to appeal.
The Competition Committee took into account Simeone’s denial that he was responsible and it couldn’t be proved who was, but in such circumstances, it is the most senior member of staff on the bench who receives the punishment.
Atletico had argued a ball boy was responsible and if that had been found to be the case, the pitch-side delegate, Carlos Pena, would have been sanctioned.
