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Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid manager, has been warned that he could face more than a standard one-game touchline ban following his red card in the Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
Simeone, 55, was sent off in stoppage time after a confrontation with a section of Liverpool fans near the away bench, following Virgil van Dijk's 92nd-minute winner for the Reds. The Argentine boss accused Liverpool supporters of provoking him throughout the match, but conceded that his response was "unjustified."
Under UEFA regulations, Simeone will automatically serve a one-match suspension in the Champions League, but there is a possibility of further sanctions.
Former top-flight Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez, who officiated in La Liga and UEFA competitions from 1995 to 2012, has offered his opinion on the incident.
Speaking on radio programme El Larguero, Iturralde said: "I think Simeone will receive a fine of €20,000 ($23,700), which, in quotes, is the least.
"It's most likely that he'll get a one-match ban, and it's also most likely that they'll put him on standby. What does that mean? If he's a repeat offender during the year, he'll have to serve that (extra) ban, but for now, he won't have to."
Article 63 of UEFA's regulations clearly states: "As a rule, a player or team official sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for the next match in a UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League or UEFA Super Cup).
"In the event of a serious offence, the UEFA disciplinary bodies are entitled to augment this punishment, including by extending it to other competitions."
Following his fiery dismissal post-match, Simeone commented: "They always talk about taking care of each other, but they insult you throughout the entire match and you can't say anything because you're the manager.
"My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opponent scores, and still be insulted? It's not that easy.
"(The referee told me) he understood me. I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.
"There were insults throughout the match, including gestures. It's clear that I'm the one who has to stay calm. I have to put up with the insults, the gestures, and any situation. Because I'm in a position where I have to put up with it.
"I'm not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don't want to get involved in that. I have got to stay in my place, I know what went on behind the manager's bench.
"I can't solve society's problem in one press conference. I have to live with it as it exists all over the place all of the time."
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