Francesco Totti, the Italy forward, has been handed a three-match ban by a Uefa disciplinary committee today after the Roma star was found guilty of gross unsporting conduct.
The charge arises from an incident in Monday’s group C encounter between Italy and Denmark when Totti was caught by television cameras spitting at Christian Poulsen, the Danish midfield player.
Totti - the Azzurri’s main creative influence - was accompanied at the hearing in Lisbon by Giancarlo Abete, the Italian FA (FIGC) vice-president, and several FIGC lawyers.
Italy now have 24 hours to launch an appeal - a decision is expected later today - which, if it were submitted, would be considered by Uefa in the subsequent 48 hours.
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As it stands, however, Totti is due to miss Italy’s two remaining group C games - against Sweden tomorrow and Bulgaria on Tuesday - and a potential quarter-final tie should the Azzurri qualify.
The prosecution had requested the player be banned for four games but the committee took into account Totti’s previous good record and his unreserved apology. When asked for his thoughts by the committee, Totti said: “I am very distraught at what has happened. I don’t recognise myself from the images that were shown. I give a full public apology and I would like to make it clear that the true Francesco Totti is not the one on the video.”