Montpellier coach Girard gets Champions League ban

Rene Girard has managed Montpellier since 2009.

Claude Paris/AP

NYON, Switzerland (AP) -- UEFA has banned Montpellier coach Rene Girard from one Champions League match for directing an obscene hand gesture at the Schalke bench after the teams drew 2-2 last week.

UEFA says a second ban for improper conduct was suspended for a three-year probationary period.

Girard will serve the ban - which bars him from contacting players or coaches in the stadium - when Montpellier hosts Olympiakos on Oct. 24. He was fined ?5,000 ($6,430).

The French coach made the gesture in a heated touchline exchange after his 10-man team got a late equalizer in Germany last Wednesday.

UEFA says it fined Montpellier $21,900 because five players got yellow cards and fans threw missiles and fireworks.

Montpellier and Girard can appeal within three days.

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