体坛英语新闻：Stiff sanctions for Coentrao and Vilanova

MADRID, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Disciplinary Committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has handed out heavy sanctions to FC Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova and Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao.

Coentrao has been suspended for four matches for insults aimed at referee Perez Lasa during Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Getafe at the weekend.

The Portuguese international was standing next to the dugout when he supposedly called Lasa a "Hijo de Puta", which can be roughly translated as "son of a prostitute", quite a common insult in Spain.

Vilanova, meanwhile was handed a two game ban after he was sent off for protesting by referee Muniz Fernandez during Barca's 2-1 win away to Osasuna. Vilanova has denied any insults and Barcelona have announced the club will appeal the decision.

Finally Osasuna captain Patxi Punal has been suspended for insulting the same referee in the Osasuna-Barca match on Sunday evening.

Punal was obstructed by Muniz as he tried to intercept the ball in the lead up to Barcelona's second and winning goal and reacted angrily.

"Punal protested because the referee stopped him from robbing the ball," complained Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar after the match. Osasuna will almost certainly appeal at the suspension.