Uruguay star Jose Gimenez 'could face a FIFTEEN-match ban' as new video emerges of him ELBOWING FIFA's suited director in the back of the head, before calling refs 'thieves' and 'sons of b***hes'
- Uruguay exited the World Cup on goals scored despite 2-0 win over Ghana
- Defender Jose Gimenez was caught on camera elbowing a FIFA official
- The offence could see him banned for 15 games, maybe for club or country
- READ: Edinson Cavani PUNCHES pitch-side VAR monitor after World Cup exit
- READ: Luis Suarez is reduced to tears as Uruguay are dumped out of World Cup
- Find more of Sportsmail's latest World Cup stories via the ongoing live blog
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Jose Gimenez could be banned for 15 games after a video appeared to show the Uruguay defender elbowing FIFA's competition director in the back of the head after their exit from the World Cup.
Tensions were high following Uruguay's game with Ghana, which saw the South American side exit the competition on goals scored after South Korea's win over Portugal.
As irate players and officials from Uruguay surrounded the referee, a video has been revealed showing Atletico Madrid's Gimenez elbowing FIFA's competitions director in the back of the head.
![Jose Gimenez could be banned for 15 games after appearing to elbow a FIFA official in the back of the head](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/13/65202273-11497941-image-a-6_1670072964287.jpg)
Jose Gimenez could be banned for 15 games after appearing to elbow a FIFA official in the back of the head
![Footage from after Uruguay's exit appears to show Gimenez hitting an official with his elbow](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/13/65202275-11497941-image-m-4_1670072659307.jpg)
![The defender appears to hit the FIFA competitions director in the melee as players surrounded the referee and assistants as they entered the tunnel post-match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/13/65202271-11497941-image-a-5_1670072663760.jpg)
Footage from after Uruguay's exit appears to show Gimenez (right) hitting an official (centre) in the back of the head with his elbow
![The act could land the Uruguay and Atletico Madrid defender in hot water with FIFA officials](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/12/65201889-11497941-image-m-38_1670070469622.jpg)
The act could land the Uruguay and Atletico Madrid defender in hot water with FIFA officials
According to the footage, the defender appears to hit the FIFA competitions director in the melee as players surrounded the referee and assistants as they entered the tunnel post-match.
In a later video, he was also seen targeting the match officials at the World Cup.
The 27-year-old said: 'They [the referees] are all a bunch of thieves these sons of b***hes. Yes, record me. Son of a b***h.'
The video rant could come with a three-game suspension, but the melee where he assaulted an official comes with a much bigger cost to his gametime.
Mundo Deportivo report that Gimenez could face a 15-game suspension, or a spell out of football for an ‘adequate’ period of time, if the incident is reported.
Elbows are listed as a form of assault, although it is not clear whether he would have to sit out 15 games for Uruguay, or if the suspension would cross over to the second half of the season with his club Atletico Madrid.
![Gimenez (right) also took aim at the referees, calling them 'thieves' and 'sons of b*****s'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/12/65201831-11497941-image-a-34_1670070234030.jpg)
Gimenez (right) also took aim at the referees, calling them 'thieves' and 'sons of b*****s'
![It is not clear if Gimenez's punishment, if awarded, would transfer to Atletico Madrid games](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/12/65201833-11497941-image-a-35_1670070261679.jpg)
It is not clear if Gimenez's punishment, if awarded, would transfer to Atletico Madrid games
When Luis Suarez was banned for three months in 2014, FIFA issued the penalty to prevent him from lining up for his country or his club at the time, Barcelona.
The offence is also penalised with a minimum £4,343 fine (5,000 Swiss Francs), rising four-fold if it is made via mass media or social media, and Gimenez was aware he was being filmed at the time.
Uruguay felt frustrated they were not given a penalty against Ghana, and had a controversial call made against them when they lost 2-0 to group victors Portugal.
![Luis Suarez was left crying after his side's early exit from the World Cup despite Ghana win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/12/65201883-11497941-image-a-36_1670070430566.jpg)
Luis Suarez was left crying after his side's early exit from the World Cup despite Ghana win
Their exit caused emotional scenes at the end of the match, including Luis Suarez in tears as the captain was unable to prevent his country's early exit from Qatar, as previously reported by Sportsmail.
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid currently sit outside LaLiga's top four on goal difference, and they will be concerned about the possibility of missing out on Champions League football, especially if they are forced to play without Gimenez, who joined the club in 2013.
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over