• Diego Simeone handed an eight-match ban for patting a match official’s head
• The Atletico Madrid coach has ten days to appeal sanctions
• The club’s assistant coach German Burgos to take charge in his absence
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has served an eight-game suspension to Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone following his actions during Friday’s Super Cup triumph over city rivals Real Madrid.
The Argentine boss was sent off during the first-half of the 1-0 second leg win at the Vicente Calderon for patting the back of the head of the fourth official.
Simeone has until September 4 to appeal a four-count charge, which includes a two-match ban of a game each for sarcastically applauding the official’s decision and for remaining in the stands instead of going to the dressing room after his dismissal.
The other two sanctions are a four-match ban for twice tapping the official’s head and a two-match suspension for the protests which led to his sending off.
The 44-year-old has also been fined a combined €4,805 fee and the reigning La Liga champions are to pay €2,800.
Mario Mandzukic’s 90 seconds goal made all the difference, as ‘Los Roji Blancos’ clinched the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate.
Simeone, who has apologised for his actions in Friday’s game, was also sent off in his side’s Champions League final defeat by Real in Lisbon and was subsequently handed a match European ban by Uefa.
Atletico assistant coach German Burgos will fill in for the duration of Simeone’s absence in the dugout.
The Madrid club start the defence of their title against local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.
