Atletico coach Simeone banned for three La Liga matches
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MADRID --
Spain's soccer federation has rejected Atletico Madrid's appeal against the three-match ban imposed on coach Diego Simeone.
Simeone was sent off at halftime of last Saturday's 1-0 win over Malaga after someone threw a second ball onto the field.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the game's regulations, the coach is held responsible if the perpetrator is not identified.
In its finding Wednesday, the federation's competition committee said the club had failed to identify anyone and that ''it has been established that the ball came from the area of Atletico's bench.''
Simeone will now have to watch the next three La Liga matches from the stands.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Simeone was also fined 3,005 euros ($3,400) and the club 1,050 euros. The committee said Atletico can lodge an appeal to try to reduce the punishment.