James Copnall BBC Sport, Abidjan

Liewig will not be available for four Champions League games

Asec Mimosas coach Patrick Liewig has been suspended for four Champions League games by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

The punishment comes after Liewig's behaviour in the Ivorian side's 1-0 away win against FC Kallon two weeks ago.

The French coach reacted strongly after the referee awarded the Sierra Leoneans a penalty - which they then missed - and was sent to the stands.

Liewig will be replaced on the bench by his assistant Maxime Gouamene, starting this weekend in the return leg against FC Kallon.

Asec will not appeal the decision.

"I don't think the punishment is deserved, but the referee is in charge," Asec's vice president Francis Ouegnin told BBC Sport.

"So we will accept Caf's decision."

Liewig led Asec to the 2006 Champions League semi-finals and was on the shortlist for Caf coach of the year, so his absence could be seen as a big blow to the Ivorian champions.

Ouegnin disagrees: "It won't have any effect on us.

"Patrick will work with his assistant, and it will have no negative impact at all."

Gouamane, a popular former player, already took charge of an Ivorian league game to practice giving instructions from the bench.

Asec produced their best performance of the young season, beating Lagoke 3-0 away from home.

The Ivorians have lost several of their stars from last season to European clubs, including the defender Bakary Soro and the goal-scoring playmaker Didier Ya Konan.

But Asec has picked up some promising local and West African reinforcements, and despite Liewig's absence will target winning the 2007 Champions League.