Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa could be hit with a ban as long as eight games after his meltdown at Barcelona.

Costa is facing a ban of anywhere between four and eight games after being sent off in Atletico Madrid's 2-0 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Costa was sent off in the first half after saying something to referee Jesus Gil Manzano. The official later explained in his report that: "In the 28th minute the player Diego Da Silva Costa was sent off for the following motive: he shouted loudly at me the following words: 'ME CAGO EN TU PUTA MADRE!!, ¡¡ME CAGO EN TU PUTA MADRE!!.' ['I S**T ON YOUR W***E MOTHER, I S**T ON YOUR W***E MOTHER]."

Article 94 of the Competition's regulations explain that the punishment for being dismissed for said violation is a suspension of a minimum of four games and a maximum of eight.