Giménez faces lengthy suspension after profane refereeing criticism, possible assault of a FIFA competitions director

Atlético Madrid center-back José Giménez will likely receive a multi-game suspension following comments he made at the end of Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Ghana at the FIFA World Cup on Friday. But it is unknown if a potential sanction would affect his availability to play for Atlético when the Colchoneros return to action at the end of the month.

Uruguay were eliminated from the World Cup despite beating Ghana at Al Janoub Stadium, as South Korea’s late win over already-qualified Portugal ensured Paulo Bento’s side could not be caught on goal difference. The surprise elimination almost certainly brings an end to the international careers of former Rojiblancos Luis Suárez and Diego Godín.

The group stage exit also looks like it will bring heavy sanctions for Giménez, who was filmed confronting match official Daniel Siebert and cursing out the referees at full time.

Giménez was even seen elbowing an individual who is allegedly a FIFA Director of Competitions, an executive assigned to oversee the match.

According to Cadena COPE’s Isaac Fouto, Giménez could be in line to receive a seven- or eight-game suspension for his actions, and depending on the severity, FIFA might determine the 27-year-old is ineligible to play for his club as well as his country for the length of the suspension. Mundo Deportivo reported the suspension could be as long as 15 games if Giménez is found to have assaulted FIFA’s Director of Competitions.

Giménez and Siebert would have been familiar with one another following the German referee’s Atlético assignments. Siebert made multiple controversial decisions while refereeing Atleti’s 3-2 loss to Liverpool in last season’s UEFA Champions League group stage and during the Rojiblancos’ 0-0 draw with Manchester City that knocked them out of the competition in April.

In the former, Siebert sent off Antoine Griezmann for a high boot and refused to give Atlético a penalty after Diogo Jota clattered Giménez in the box. Siebert’s handling of the fracas at the end of the City tie also drew criticism — he sent off Felipe Monteiro after the defender’s wayward leg caught Phil Foden along the boundary, leading to a benches-clearing melee that lasted several minutes.

Photo by Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Giménez started all three group games but had a difficult World Cup. He played well in a 2-0 loss to Portugal earlier in the week, but he gave away a late penalty for handball that should not have been awarded. In the end, that decision cost Uruguay a spot in the knockouts in Qatar.

These actions are another story — immature and inexcusable. Giménez’s absence (as it often is) would be a significant blow for Atlético if it’s confirmed. Diego Simeone’s team currently sits outside LaLiga’s top four and wants a good showing in this year’s Copa del Rey when it resumes in a few weeks’ time.