Diego Costa red card: Atletico star shockingly told referee THIS, Barcelona paper claims

DIEGO COSTA saw red in Atletico Madrid’s clash with Barcelona tonight - and it has been claimed he verbally abused the referee about his mother.

Posted Sunday, April 07, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

The Spain international striker was sent off by Gil Manzano for foul and abusive language at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona and Atletico were level at 0-0 after 28 minutes in their La Liga encounter when the incident occurred.

Marzano stopped play as Costa shouted in his face before the official brandished the red card.

Thomas Partey, Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin were all booked as well in the wake of the dismissal as Atletico’s players surrounded the referee in protest.

Their defence of Costa, though, was to no avail as the ex-Chelsea hot-head was forced to go.

Spain team-mate and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique helped usher him off the field and down the tunnel before he got in more trouble.

And there has been much speculation as to what provoked the referee into issuing the red.

Barcelona-based newspaper Ara, published in Catalonia, believe they know what Costa told Manzano.

Diego Costa red card: Atletico star shockingly told referee THIS, Barcelona paper claims
Diego Costa used foul and abusive language towards the referee in Atletico's game at Barcelona (Pic: GETTY)

It is sensationally claimed the Atletico man blasted: “I s*** on your f****** mother!”

Costa was adamant he had been fouled by a Barcelona player which the referee disagreed with.

And it led to the 30-year-old hurling insults in the way of the referee in the fiery match.

Diego Costa red card: Atletico star shockingly told referee THIS, Barcelona paper claims
Atletico Madrid players defended Diego Costa but his red stood in the Barcelona defeat (Pic: GETTY)

Much was riding on the result tonight in the race for the La Liga title, with Barcelona going into the game top, eight points ahead of nearest challengers Atletico.

Costa now, though, faces a ban following his behaviour tonight at the Nou Camp which could cost his team dearly in the long run.

The dismissal took its toll eventually as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored late to earn Barcelona an all-but title deciding three points as they prevailed 2-0.