Juventus winger Douglas Costa has been given a four-match ban by Serie A after spitting at an opponent during the 2-1 win over Sassuolo.
Costa spat at Federico Di Francesco in the closing stages of Sunday’s league match after a running feud in which the Brazil international had also elbowed and head-butted his opponent.
Serie A confirmed the ban in its weekly disciplinary report on Tuesday, saying Costa’s ban was “for unsporting behaviour on the field; for having spat in the face of an opponent, an infringement picked up by VAR in the 48th minute of the second half while play was halted.”
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Douglas Costa’s behaviour was condemned immediately after the match by Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, who said he would be punished.
“It’s only right that he is fined,” Allegri said. “He certainly will be … I was surprised by his reaction. We have suffered a goal, a red card and a suspension which will be long.”
Costa will miss Juve’s league games against Frosinone, Bologna and Napoli and Udinese, although he is eligible to face Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old said he was sorry for his behaviour in an Instagram post that read: “I would like to apologise to all Juventus fans for this misleading reaction in today’s game. I also apologise to my teammates, who are always with me in the good and the bad times.”