Diego Costa banned for eight games for abusing referee

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has been handed an eight-match ban for hurling abuse at a referee.

The former Chelsea player was sent off by official Jesus Gil Manzano during Atletico's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in La Liga.

Manzano said in his match report that the Spanish international had "insulted his mother", a claim Costa, 30, denied.

The Spanish Football Federation's ban rules him out of Atletico's remaining La Liga fixtures this season.

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