Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has been handed an eight-match by the Spanish Football Association.

The Argentinian boss was facing three separate charges and had been anticipating a lengthy spell away from the touchline. He was already banned from the touchline for today’s La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano and admitted during his pre-match press conference that he needed to pay for his indiscretions.

“The matter is closed. It doesn’t do any good to keep talking about the same thing. The people who make the decisions will have to see what a fair punishment is. When someone makes a mistake it’s right they pay for it, we are waiting to see what the price is. German Burgos has the ability [to stand in] and he has my trust; we see football in the same way,” Simeone said.

Since one of the infractions was classified as “serious” by the disciplinary committee, the Atletico Madrid boss will be forced to serve his ban during La Liga matches. That means, Simeone will be prohibited from the sidelines for Atletico’s league fixtures against: Eibar, Real Madrid, Celta and Almeria.

The 44-year-old will not make his return to Los Colchoneros bench until week six of the La Liga schedule against Sevilla. The remainder of his suspension will be served in future Spanish Super Cup matches.

Simeone’s suspension has been made up of four different punishments and includes a combined fine of £3,800. Atletico have also been fined £2,230.

The club and its manager have ten days to appeal the ruling.

The breakdown of the sanctions is as follows:

*Simeone received a four-match ban for slapping the back of the fourth official’s neck after already being dismissed by match referee David Fernandez Borbalan.

*The Argentinian boss was handed two more matches for protesting his dismissal.

*He was handed an additional match for (sarcastically) applauding the decision.

*Lastly, Simeone was given a further match ban for remaining in the stands and giving his team instructions during the game.

The disciplinary committee also decided that it would not take any action against Cristiano Ronaldo after footage showed the Portuguese forward punching Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin during the final minutes of the Supercopa.

Since Ronaldo was shown a yellow card following the brief skirmish, the committee decided to uphold the decision of the match official.

*Real Madrid take on Cordoba at 1:55pm EST today, while Atletico Madrid travel to Rayo Vallecano at 3:55pm EST. Both matches will be shown LIVE on beIN SPORTS and DishWorld