Milan’s Hernandez receives two-game suspension after referee rant

Theo Hernandez has been suspended for two games for ranting at referee Luca Pairetto following AC Milan’s dramatic defeat at Fiorentina, Serie A said on Tuesday.

France full-back Hernandez was sent off after the final whistle of Sunday’s 2-1 loss in Florence for having repeatedly aimed “seriously disrespectful criticism” at Pairetto.

Hernandez, who wore the captain’s armband on Sunday, will miss Milan’s matches with Udinese and Bologna after the international break.

His ban could have been longer as he had to be dragged back by Alvaro Morata following a thrilling match which featured three saved penalties including one taken by Hernandez.

The aftermath of the defeat has created more unwanted controversy for Milan, who are five points behind league leaders Napoli after an inconsistent start to the season.

Angry coach Paulo Fonseca told reporters that Christian Pulisic was Milan’s designated penalty taker, but instead Hernandez took the ball for the first spot-kick in an attempt to score on his 27th birthday.

Fonseca was further angered after Fikayo Tomori snatched the ball and handed it to his close friend Tammy Abraham for the second fluffed penalty.

Milan are sixth in Serie A and have lost their first two Champions League games against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.