Dani Benitez banned for throwing bottle at referee

GRANADA, Spain (AP) -- Granada midfielder Dani Benitez has been banned for three months for throwing a plastic water bottle at a referee at the end of a Spanish league game.

The Spanish soccer federation imposed the suspension on Wednesday, keeping Benitez out of Granada's final match at Rayo Vallecano with the club trying to avoid relegation. The rest of the ban will be served in the league next season.

Benitez threw the bottle at referee Clos Gomez as Granada's players argued with the official following a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Granada players Moises Hurtado and Guillherme Siqueira were both banned for four games and Alex Geijo was suspended for Sunday's game.

Granada is two points above the drop zone.

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