Diego Costa punishment is the second most severe in 21st century Spanish football Atletico Madrid Only surpassed by 10-match ban handed to Pepe in 2009

Atletico Madrid will be without Diego Costa for eight LaLiga Santander matches as a result of his tirade at the referee in the clash with Barcelona, and this is the second most severe punishment handed out in 21st century Spanish football.

It remains just short of the 10-match suspension given to Pepe as a result of his bizarre assault on Javi Casquero back in the 2008/09 season.

Interestingly, Dani Benitez was handed a punishment that could have surpassed both of these when he threw a battle at referee Clos Gomez during a match between Granada and Real Madrid.

The bottle hit the official in the face and Benitez was handed a three-month suspension from the sport, yet the season was nearing its end so only one fixture was missed.

Throughout the history of Spanish football, the most severe punishment ever given out was to Joaquin Cortizo after a challenge on Enrique Collar left him with a broken leg.

He was handed a 24-match ban by the Spanish Football Federation.