Ujfalusi gets two-match ban for Messi tackle

Atletico Madrid’s Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi was Tuesday slapped with a two-match ban for a tackle on Barcelona star Lionel Messi that has left the Argentine sidelined with an ankle injury.

Spain’s football authority, the RFEF, handed down the ban for “dangerous play”, the club said on its website.

The Czech will now miss Atletico’s games against Valencia and Real Zaragoza.

Messi was stretchered off in the final minute of Sunday’s match, which Barca won 2-1, following the robust tackle from the Czech, who was sent off for the challenge.

Barcelona said Monday that Messi, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, will miss at least the next two matches after suffering ligament damage to his ankle.

Ujfalusi has apologised to Messi, saying he had “tried to go for the ball”, but was “unlucky as my foot stepped on his ankle”.