Diego Costa 'refusing to train' after Atletico Madrid open disciplinary proceedings over eight-game ban

The Spanish international was handed a four-game suspension for the comments - which he says were aimed at himself - and a further four-game sanction for grabbing the referee's arm

Diego Costa is reportedly refusing to train for Atletico Madrid after the club opened up disciplinary proceedings against the striker.

Costa was handed an eight-game ban for his actions towards the referee in Atletico Madrid's defeat to Barcelona earlier this month - four for abusive language and four more for grabbing the official's arm.

It means that the Brazil-born forward's season is over, with his red card in the 0-2 defeat at the Nou Camp also ending Atleti's chase of Barca and their title hopes.

Atletico responded by opening disciplinary proceedings against Costa, owing to the severity of his offences, and the striker has refused to train according to local newspaper AS.

Late goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi almost certainly handed the defending champions a fourth title in five years despite the best efforts of Diego Simeone's side.

The goals came with Atleti down to 10 men following Costa's first-half dismissal for comments made to referee Gil Manzano.

Manzano's post-match report said: “In the 28th minute, number 19… Diego Costa was sent off for the following reason: saying to me loudly, in the following terms: ‘I s**t on your w**** mother, I s**t on your w**** mother!’”

The Spanish authorities have now taken action handing the Spanish international a four-game suspension for the comments and a further four-game sanction for grabbing the referee's arm.

Costa has also been fined €6000. Atletico have the power to appeal against the decision.

Teammate Koke revealed that Costa had apologised to rest of his team and had insisted he had not insulted the referee and that comments were aimed at himself.

“Something always happens to us when we come here,” added Koke. "In the last 11 games, I think there have been seven red cards and not all of them have been fair.

Diego Costa confronts the referee after his red card (EPA)

"We must try to stay as high as possible in LaLiga. We will have to watch what happened [against Barcelona].

"What we talk about stays inside the dressing room and no one has to know [what is said]."