August 5 – Greece’s World Cup coach Fernando Santos has been handed an eight match international ban by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. The Portuguese was sent off after extra time in the World Cup knockout game against Costa Rica.
Fernando Santos verbally abused match officials, leading to his banishment from the dugout. In their ruling, FIFA disciplinary body says he displayed “several acts of unsporting conduct toward the match officials”. Santos said he was arguing over whether he could enter the field to talk to his players. He said the same happened at 90 minutes and again after extra time.
A FIFA statement said: “Fernando Manuel Fernandes da Costa Santos is suspended for eight (8) matches in accordance with art. 19 par. 1 and par. 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) after breaching art. 49 par. 1 a) of the FDC for displaying several acts of unsporting conduct towards the match officials.”
Santos’ tenure as Greece’s coach ended at the world cup when his contract expired. He had already decided to leave the national team at the end of the tournament. Claudio Ranieri has since taken the role.
Santos’ ban will carry over to any new national team job he may take.
The discsiplinary committee also reached a decision for Aldo Esposito, the Italian medical official who was sent from the dugout for unsporting conduct during the infamous Italy v Uruguay group game that saw Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio controversially sent off in the second half and defender Giorgio Chiellini bitten by Luis Suarez.
Italy lost the match 1-0 and exited the tournament. Suarez also exited the tournament and was followed home by the rest of the Uruguayan team after the next round.
Esposito received a six-match ban “in accordance with art. 19 par. 1 and par. 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) after breaching art. 49 par. 1 a) of the FDC for displaying several acts of unsporting conduct towards the match officials.”
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