Juventus winger Douglas Costa risks at least a three-match ban, possibly closer to five, after spitting at a Sassuolo player.
The Brazilian was a substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Sassuolo at the Juventus Stadium.
There was a tussle with Federico Di Francesco (the son of Roma Coach Eusebio) in the build-up to the Sassuolo consolation goal in the final minutes.
First he seemed to lash out an elbow, then attempted a headbutt.
READ ALSO Dalung mourns Rev. Moses Iloh
The pair continued arguing until Douglas Costa spat at Di Francesco from point-blank range.
It was caught on camera and the VAR officials in the booth immediately alerted the referee, who sent him off.
There is no mandatory ban in Serie A for a straight red or for spitting, but there are some precedents.
This type of incident tends to warrant a three-match ban.
Douglas Costa could well be worse off because there was also the elbow and headbutt to take into account.