Atletico's Simeone receives 4-match touchline ban
Madrid, May 5: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been banned from the touchline for the next three European matches after being sent to the stands during the first leg of his club's Europa League semi-final against Arsenal.
French referee Clement Turpin sent Simeone to the stands in the 13th minute of the contest at the Emirates Stadium in London after the coach became abusive while protesting the sending off of Atletico defender Sime Vrsaljko two minutes earlier, reports EFE news agency.
The first leg ended 1-1.
As a consequence of the incident in London, Simeone spent Thursday night's second leg watching from the stands at Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano, where his side prevailed 1-0 to win a berth in the final.
The ban, which was handed out by European football's governing body UEFA on Friday, means that he will likewise be confined to the stands when Atletico face Olympique Marseille in the Europa League final on May 16 in Lyon.
Should Atletico win the Europa League, the sanction will extend to the August 15 UEFA Super Cup and to the Spanish club's first 2018-2019 Champions League group stage match in September.
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Kharge writes to opposition leaders on 'discrepancies' in polling data released by EC
New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the leaders of various parties of the INDIA opposition bloc on Tuesday, questioning the alleged discrepancies in the voting data released by the Election Commission (EC).
In his letter, Kharge urged the INDIA bloc leaders to raise their voice against such discrepancies, for "our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution".
"Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable," he said in his letter.
"As the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), it should be our collective endeavour to safeguard democracy and protect the independent functioning of the ECI. All the aforementioned facts force us to ask a question -- could this be an attempt to doctor the final results?" he asked.
"We all know how Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and the BJP are visibly flustered and frustrated by the voting trends and their receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases. The entire nation knows that an autocratic regime, drunk with power, can go to any extent to stay in the chair," Kharge said.
"I would urge all of you that we must collectively, unitedly and unequivocally raise our voice against such discrepancies, for our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution," he added.
Several opposition parties have raised questions on the delay in releasing the polling data by the EC.
Sharing his letter on X, Kharge said, "My letter to the leaders of INDIA parties, regarding the discrepancies in the voting data released by Election Commission of India and non-publishing of registered voters."
Voting is being held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union territories on Tuesday in the third phase of the parliamentary polls.
