Atletico Madrid striker Angel Correa has been banned for five matches after insulting the referee during his team’s 2-1 loss to Getafe in a La Liga match on Sunday.
Correa received a red card for a high tackle in the 88th minute, and after being sent off, he directed harsh words at referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez. Following this, the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee announced on Wednesday that Correa would serve a five-match suspension — one game for the red card and four more for his comments towards the official.
The committee dismissed Atletico’s appeal, stating that Correa’s emotional state and the pressure of the match did not excuse his behavior. “The player was extremely nervous and under high pressure, but this can never justify the series of severe expressions directed at the referee,” the committee stated.
After the match, Correa took to social media platform X to apologize for his actions. “I have total respect for the referees and this reaction is not typical of me,” he wrote. “I was very angry for leaving the team with ten men at such a delicate moment and I reacted in the worst way. I hope he accepts my most sincere apologies.”
Correa’s suspension means he will miss the second leg of Atletico’s Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona, along with upcoming league games against Barcelona, Espanyol, Sevilla, and Valladolid.
Atletico, who were leading at the time of Correa’s red card, eventually lost the match, leaving them in third place in La Liga, just one point behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
