PARIS (AFP) - European football's governing body UEFA on Thursday handed a three-match touchline ban to Dick Advocaat, Dutch coach of Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg.

UEFA's disciplinary commission handed the ban to Advocaat, who was dismissed from the technical zone for gross misconduct in the second half of the UEFA Cup Round of 32 second leg encounter with Spanish side Villarreal on 21 February.

Zenit lost the match 2-1 but went through on away goals.

The ban will cover Zenit's two UEFA Cup Round of 16 games against French side Marseille on 6 and 12 March, plus one European club match after that.

Under the terms of the ban Advocaat will not be able to visit his side's dressing room and will watch the games from the stand.