JEONJU, South Korea (AP) — Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco will resign as assistant coach of South Korean champion Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after receiving a five-match ban for an alleged racist gesture during a K League game, the club said Tuesday.

On Nov. 8 as Jeonbuk faced Daejeon Hana, the Argentine assistant was sent off by referee Kim Woo-seong for vehemently protesting a penalty decision. Subsequently, Taricco placed his index fingers besides the corner of his eyes — a gesture the referee interpreted as racist and reported to the league’s disciplinary committee.

On Nov. 19, the committee banned Taricco for five games and fined him 20 million won ($13,646).

The 52-year-old, who featured for Tottenham between 1998 and 2004 and also played for Ipswich Town, West Ham and Bri

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