Diego Simeone Suspended for 3 Games: Latest Details and Reaction

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has been handed a three-game touchline ban that will cover his side's last three La Liga matches of the season against Rayo Vallecano, Levante and Celta Vigo.

Per Sport's Sam Marsden, Simeone has been sanctioned after he was sent to the stands during Atleti's 1-0 win over Malaga at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday when a ball was thrown on to the pitch, seemingly in an attempt to disrupt one of the visitors' attacks.

Marsden added that, though the Argentinian manager did not appear to be the person who threw the ball, he is responsible for "monitoring what happens around his technical area" and has been punished accordingly.  

Simeone had no issue with bearing the responsibility and said after the match that the referee had made the right decision, per Marsden:

"

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 [what happened]—it was a boy beside me, but that doesn’t mean anything.

"

Sky Sports La Liga provided footage of the incident:

It is a big blow for Atleti as they are still firmly in the hunt for La Liga title and are tied on points with leaders Barcelona.

Simeone will still be able to carry out all his usual managerial duties, but his absence from the touchline could prove crucial at key moments in the run-in.

It is not the first time that Simeone, 45, has picked up a touchline ban.

He was suspended for eight games back in August 2014 for his behaviour during Atleti's Super Cup win over Real Madrid. He accumulated a four-match ban for tapping a linesman on the back of the head, two for protesting, one for sarcastically applauding his dismissal and another for not leaving the stadium when sent off.

He will, though, be on the touchline as Atleti look to reach the UEFA Champions League final this season by getting past Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the last four.

The first leg of the tie is at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, and Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe is backing Atleti to get their noses in front:

If Los Rojiblancos can overcome Bayern over two legs, they will meet either Real—for a repeat of the 2014 final—or Manchester City in May 28's showpiece at Milan's San Siro to battle it out for Champions League glory.