Atlético Madrid furious with UEFA decision on Griezmann ban

Almost one month after Atlético met Liverpool at the Metropolitano, the club has been notified of the punishment Antoine Griezmann has been handed for being sent off during the game. The French forward has been hit with a two-match ban - a decision which has infuriated Atlético, who consider it to be way out of proportion. Griezmann already sat out the reverse game against Liverpool at Anfield and now he will also miss the crucial Matchday 5 clash against AC Milan when Simeone had expected him to be available. Atleti need to beat Milan at the Wanda Metropolitano to go into the final group game against Porto with a chance of qualifying for the next round as runners-up in Group B.

Full screen

Ibrahimovic and Jota

Griezmann must sit out two games as punishment for an action which was not intentional; he raised his foot trying to control the ball and struck Firmino's neck. The ref didn't hesitate and reached straight for his red card. Interestingly, during the same matchday in another game in the same group, Ibrahimovic was not sent off for a similar incident in AC Milan's meeting with Porto; and Diogo Jota was booked for a raised foot on Trippier in Atleti's trip to Anfield. Griezmann watched what happened at home on television, and took to social media, writing: "Yellow card at Anfield...". "Against everything and everyone".

Severe punishment for Griezmann and Atlético, who knew the player would miss the second game against Liverpool and today, discovered that he will also miss the next game against Milan. Not all direct red cards in the Champions League have resulted in an automatic two-match ban. Wan Bissaka was hit with a two-game suspension for dangerous play, but the ban was reduced to one game after United appealed. Mbemba (Porto) and Ahmedhodzic (Malmö) both only missed one game. For that reason Atleti are optimistic that UEFA will overturn the second game in Griezmann's ban.

Felipe hit with a two-game ban

Like Griezmann, Felipe has also been given a two-game suspension. The centre-back was shown a direct red card at Anfield for a tackle from behind on Sadio Mané when Liverpool were breaking. It was painful enough to leave the team to play the rest of the game on 10 men, and now he will miss the rest of the group stage. Atleti found out about both suspensions on the same day and are studying whether it would be worth their while appealing Felipe's case too.

Fortunately for Simeone, Savic is back available again after serving a four-game ban for elbowing Chelsea's Rüdiger plus protesting. The club felt that punishment was over the top but at least he will be able to play the Milan game - unlike Griezmann.