MADRID: Diego Simeone, coach of Atletico de Madrid, has been banned for three domestic matches in Spain after an incident during Saturday’s match against Malaga.

Simeone has been banned after an extra ball was thrown onto the pitch from Atletico’s dugout and which stopped a Malaga counter attack. The Argentinian later blame an over-enthusiastic ball boy.

Simeone was in the dugout for last night’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League but will miss crucial title games against Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Celta Vigo.

Simeone said: “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. The images will show it was a boy beside me, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

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