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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said he had been concerned he would be banned for Saturday's game at Las Palmas after his reaction to an official in the midweek home defeat to Villarreal. The referee's official report on Tuesday's game said Simeone had placed his hands on an assistant referee while remonstrating about his side not being given time to take a late free kick. Initial reports suggested Simeone could be banned from the touchline for the remainder of the season, while Marca claimed he was given a two-match ban by the Spanish FA that had been lifted on appeal. Speaking at his prematch news conference, Simeone said: "I was concerned as I had been very respectful with the referee in the situation. "I had just asked why they did not let us take the final free kick. From there, what blew up blew up. Thankfully I will able to sit on the bench." Atletico are level on points with Sevilla, who beat Celta Vigo on Thursday, in the race for third place and the final automatic Champions League qualification spot, and take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal next week. Simeone said his players were used to dealing with such challenges and added: "For five-and-a-half years, we have been managing things in the same way. "We will look for the best way to resolve the game against Las Palmas. "What we have in our head counts more than what we have in our legs. The work you have done, your commitment, and all you are playing for is the most important." Fit-again Kevin Gameiro could start against Las Palmas, but that does not mean Antoine Griezmann will be rested, Simeone said. He said: "He has been playing 30 minutes, against Espanyol and Villarreal, and feels stronger all the time. "It is between him [Fernando] Torres and [Angel] Correa to accompany Griezmann tomorrow. I will choose depending on what I see."
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