Carlo Ancelotti Reportedly Banned for 2 Matches After Clapping Gesture

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly been ordered to leave the dugout for his side's final two games of the La Liga season after offering a sarcastic clap in the direction of referee Carlos Clos Gomez following Los Blancos' 2-2 draw with Valencia.

Continue for updates.

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Ancelotti Banned for Final 2 Games of the Season

Wednesday, May 13

Nicholas Rigg of AS confirms Ancelotti will be absent against Espanyol and Getafe: "Two-match suspension for Carlo Ancelotti for remarks to the referee against Valencia. Set to be in stands for last two games."

Sport also tweeted the news: "So this happened. Carlo's banned for the last two games of the season."

Rigg confirmed exactly why the Italian boss was reprimanded: "Ancelotti was reported for sarcastically applauding referee Clos Gomez against Valencia and telling him his performance wasn't good enough."

It remains to be seen whether the final two matches of the La Liga season go ahead, after continued talk of a players strike in La Liga.

As reported by Rigg, the government has ordered the suspension of matches because the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) and Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are "unhappy" over a new television rights deal passed by the nation's authorities.

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Ancelotti Reported by Referee

Monday, May 11

Madrid are now four points behind Barcelona in La Liga's title race after failing to beat Valencia. Strikes from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego put Valencia 2-0 up before the 30-minute mark, but second-half goals from Pepe and Isco gave Madrid a glimmer of hope.

However, referee Gomez reported Ancelotti's actions in his post-match report, highlighted by AS:

"

At the end of the game, I was approached by the home coach D. Carlo Ancelotti from some 30 metres’ distance; he then openly applauded, evidently is disapproval of our officiating. Later, he repeated the same action inside the players’ tunnel directing his applause to my first assistant.

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Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

AS also suggested that, under Article 117 of the division's rules and regulations, "addressing the referee, directors or other figures of authority with acts of contempt or acts of an inconsiderate nature will be castigated with a suspension of between two to three games—or for a period of one month, on the understanding that no additional, more serious action has been committed."

Barca are just one win from wrapping up the Spanish title after Madrid's failure to snatch three points, so supporters are unlikely to be too concerned now their manager isn't able to remain pitch-side.

WittyFutty and Fanatix tweeted Valencia's goals:

"

#PacoAlcacer scores for #Valencia !!! http://t.co/CoVtqDu2CN

— Witty Futty (@WiFutty) May 10, 2015"

Pepe's header was then tweeted by WittyFutty, while Fanatix posted Isco's stunning equaliser:

"

#Pepe scores for #RealMadrid !!!... http://t.co/ZYwqzi6bU8

— Witty Futty (@WiFutty) May 9, 2015"

Ancelotti remains one of the world's best managers, someone who can be counted on to land titles. 

At this point, it's likely the suspension will prove to be a footnote on a more significant storyline for Ancelotti. While Madrid will be hoping Barca slip, the reality is unlikely to prove so fortunate.