Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa was given a straight red card in the 28th minute of his side’s clash against Barcelona at the Camp Nou after insulting the referee’s mother, Bestchoicesports.com.ng

A free-kick was given against Costa after he was adjudged to have fouled Barcelona midfielder Arthur but the former Chelsea forward was adament that the decision should have been given Atletico’s way.

Costa emerged from the tussle with Arthur believing that Atletico were about to be awarded a foul but could not believe the referee’s decision to give it the other way and he sprinted immediately towards the official to scream in his face.

Costa, though, clearly overstepped the mark and was given a straight red by the referee.

The ‘foul’ from Costa appeared innocuous and the referee’s decision therefore indicated that the forward was sent off for dissent.

According to AS, the forward insulted the referee’s mother using a common Spanish phrase that roughly translates to: ‘Son of a b***h’.

Costa had to be refrained by his team-mates after the red card and international colleague Gerard Pique helped the striker off the pitch after he eventually decided to make way.

The striker is likely to face an extended ban if he’s found guilty of using abusive language, while his decision to put his hands on the referee is also likely to incur a further punishment.