Chronicle Editor
ATLETICO MADRID striker Diego Costa refused to train yesterday after being told that his club is to fine him for a verbal outburst in a recent defeat to Barcelona, Spanish newspapers including AS, El Pais and Marca reported.
Atletico and Costa’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Costa has been banned for eight La Liga games by the Spanish Football Federation for verbally abusing referee Jesus Gil Manzano when he was sent off during the 2-0 loss at Barca on April 6, meaning he will play no part in the rest of the season.
AS, El Pais and Marca and others said Costa had learned on Wednesday that he was to be fined for the club for the misdemeanour, and reacted to the news by refusing to train yesterday despite being fully fit.
Atletico’s general manager Clemente Villaverde criticised Costa after the defeat to Barca, which effectively handed the La Liga title to the Catalans.
He said the striker’s behaviour was “reprehensible and seriously damaged the club”, although coach Diego Simeone was more forgiving.
“Costa is an animal who can do things that make us suffer like what happened at the Nou Camp when he really needed him,” Simeone told Goal.com in an interview published yesterday.
“But I don’t judge players for one incident, I evaluate them for everything and there are many more positive than negative things about Diego.”
Atletico, who are second in La Liga and trail runaway leaders Barcelona by nine points with six games left, visit Eibar tomorrow. — SuperSport
Online Reporter