Ex-Chelsea Striker Handed La Liga Ban After Referee Rant

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been banned after his rant against the centre referee during the Spanish La Liga game with Barcelona last weekend.

The former Chelsea player was sent off in the 28th minute of the title decider following his use of foul language against the referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

His misdemeanour has now been punished after La Liga handed him an eight-game ban thus ruling him out of action until next season.

Atletico Madrid have seven league games left to play in this campaign and Diego Costa will definitely miss them as well as the first game of next season as a result of the ban.

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His ban was announced earlier on Thursday afternoon.

Diego Costa’s dismissal proved to be significant for Atletico Madrid who went on to lose the game 2-0 courtesy goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the final ten minutes of the game as Barcelona made their numerical advantage count.

The win ensured that Barcelona moved eleven points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish La Liga table to all but end their opponents’ hopes of usurping them at the summit.

Barcelona will retain the league title they won last season with seven games left to play.