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Montpellier coach Girard gets Champions League ban

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 17,000 ($21,900) because five players got yellow cards and fans threw missiles and fireworks.

Montpellier and Girard can appeal within three days.

Updated October 10, 2012

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