Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone banned for eight matches for sideline scuffle with assistant referee

Diego Simeone having an altercation with the referee during the Supercopa de Espana.

Diego Simeone has been handed an eight game touchline ban after Atletico Madrid coach was found guilty of an altercation with the assistant referee during the second leg of Supercopa de Espana.

The ban was handed out earlier today by the Spanish Football federation after Simeone slapped the fourth official on the head as Atletico Madrid beat their cross town rivals 1-0 on the day and 2-1 on aggregate to get the new season off to a winning start. He was expelled from the sidelines on the 25th minute following the incident at the Vicente Calderon.

Simeone has been handed a two-game ban for the expulsion, four game ban for tapping an official on the back of the head, one for sarcastically applauding the decision and one for remaining in the stands and not returning to the locker room as he was supposed to.

The Atletico Madrid boss is scheduled to miss all eight opening games of Atletico’s La Liga title defence this season if the decision is upheld. The 44-year old has also been fined 4,805 euros ($6,339), while Atletico was fined 2,800 euros ($3,694).

Simeone will be missing his side’s opening game against Rayo Vallecano tonight with assistant coach German Burgos taking over the mantle while Simeone serves his suspension. The Argentine has 10 days to lodge an appeal against the decision.

The @rfef have suspended @atletienglish coach Diego @Simeone for eight games - http://t.co/A3qMjIJuPW pic.twitter.com/hSOk72k8jE

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 25, 2014