Monaco's Nabil Dirar has ban extended to 8 matches

Monaco's Moroccan international midfielder, Nabil Dirar, will be ruled out until April after having his three-match ban extended to eight games.

Having already missed four matches after he was temporarily suspended following an incident in which the 30-year-old leaned his head into official Tony Chapron during a 1-0 derby victory over Nice last month, Dirar's Feb. 11 ban has been protracted.

Related: Monaco's Nabil Dirar banned 3 matches

Monaco released a statement on its official website saying that the ban was "heavy and excessive" for a senior team regular who has shown "exemplary behaviour" during a half-decade at the principality club.

"The club of course condemns the behaviour of its player but cannot help having the feeling of being punished in an excessive manner," the statement said. "The club reserves the right to use the means necessary to obtain a reduction in the sanction."

Dirar will not be available until Monaco's trip to Lille in mid-April.