The French league disciplinary committee has handed a six-month ban to referee Tony Chapron, who kicked Nantes player Diego Carlos in a Ligue 1 fixture last month.
On January 14, Chapron was accidentally tripped by Carlos as the defender attempted to chase back and help his side deal with a counter-attack from Paris Saint-Germain, only for the official to retaliate by kicking the 24-year-old.
Chapron also handed a yellow card to Carlos - his second of the match - to see the Brazilian sent off during the closing stages, and the referee's action led to Nantes president Waldemar Kita calling for Chapron to be suspended.
Kita has now got his wish, with Chapron being sidelined until May and having requested that Carlos's second yellow card be rescinded.
Before the incident, Chapron had already revealed that he intended to retire at the end of the season.
