Ujfalusi receives 2-game ban for Messi tackle

Published Sep. 21, 2010 2:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tomas Ujfalusi received a two-game suspension for the ugly tackle that injured Lionel Messi and will sideline the FIFA player of the year for at least two games.

The Atletico Madrid defender was given a red card after stepping on Messi's ankle while the Barcelona forward was running at full speed during injury time in the Spanish champion's 2-1 victory on Sunday. The tackle sprained the internal and external ligaments of Messi's right ankle, Barcelona said after an MRI Monday.

Ujfalusi received the minimum ban Tuesday based on the league's disciplinary committee ruling. he could have been suspended for up to one month.

Atletico will be without the Czech Republic defender for matches at Valencia on Wednesday and against Zaragoza four days later.