GENEVA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- FIFA suspended Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld for two matches for his insulting gesture to the referee after his side's World Cup qualifier against Norway last month.

FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled the German "breached article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (offensive behaviour and fair play)".

The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach was also fined 7,000 Swiss Francs (5,800 euros) and will have to bear the costs of the proceedings of 1,000 Swiss Francs (829 euros).

Hitzfeld was captured by television cameras sticking his middle finger at Spanish referee David Fernandez Borbalan at the end of the 1-1 draw. He later denied that the gesture was aimed at anyone in particular.

Switzerland lead Group E with 10 points from four games. Hitzfeld will miss World Cup qualifiers away to tailenders Cyprus on March 23 and at home against the same opponents June 8 next year.?