Raul Meireles has been suspended for 11 matches after being found guilty of spitting at a referee during Fenerbahce's 2-1 defeat against Galatasaray on Sunday.

GettyImagesMeireles will spend at least three months on the sidelines

Meireles, 29, was sent off during the heavyweight clash after receiving his second yellow card of the match and footage captured the midfielder spitting as he protested the referee's decision.

It is believed the Turkish Football Federation [TFF] upgraded their initial proposal of a seven-match ban, meaning the Portugal international will be out of action until late March.

Meireles has impressed since his summer move from Chelsea and had only received one yellow card this season prior to his dismissal at the weekend.