Totti banned!

[MightyBees]

Italy's Francesco Totti has been banned for three games by Uefa after spitting at Denmark's Christian Poulsen.
Totti will miss his side's next two Group C matches against Sweden and Bulgaria as well as the quarter-finals should the Italians qualify.

The 27-year-old was charged with gross unsporting misconduct after the incident during Italy's 0-0 draw with Denmark on Monday.

"We won't tolerate this kind of behaviour," said a Uefa spokesman.

Given the opportunity to explain his actions during the three-hour hearing in Lisbon's Hotel Meridien, Totti admitted the offence.

"I am very distraught at what has happened," he said.

"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."

Italy have been given 24 hours to appeal against the decision.

Totti, who was booked in injury time for a high tackle on Danish defender Rene Henriksen, left the hearing without comment.

The Danish Football Association made an official complaint to Uefa after images of the incident were picked up by Danish television and had originally pushed for a four-match suspension.

Italy brought in top lawyers Giulia Bongiornand Mario Gallavottito to defend Totti, arguing that the player had been provoked by Poulsen.

But Uefa's six-man disciplinary committee - led by Spain's Joseph Louis Vilaseca - found Totti guilty.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to move Alessandro Del Piero into Totti's role and promote Roma youngster Antonio Cassano into the starting line-up as a striker alongside Christian Vieri.

In November, Lazio's Sinisa Mihajlovic was suspended for eight matches by Uefa's disciplinary committee after being sent off against Chelsea in a Champions League match.

He spat at and kicked Chelsea players during his side's 4-0 home defeat and was also guilty of "improper conduct" towards a Uefa official.

The spitting incident had echoes of the ugly clash at the 1990 World Cup between Dutch midfielder Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voeller of Germany.

Rijkaard spat at Voeller as he ran past the German striker and the two became embroiled in an altercation which ended with both being sent off.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/italy/3812903.stm

[Claymore]

Good.

I thought he should have been red-carded for the late, studs-up tackle on Poulson, but this will do.

[f.c._porto]

Good.

I thought he should have been red-carded for the late, studs-up tackle on Poulson, but this will do.

agreed, nasty and dangerous

[footie-fool]

agreed, nasty and dangerous

Yes, the penalty was deserved. However, as a physician, I know that spitting is only insulting, not medically dangerous to the recipient. A bit of eye wash, if needed would suffice to prevent the remote chance of bacterial infection. And no, HIV is not transmitted in saliva. The undeserved elbow delivered to Totti's ribs was dangerous however. If Totti suffered a rib fracture, collapsed lung or ruptured spleen would his retaliation been allowed? (All are possible, without doubt.) Why is no one concerned about Poulson's foul? Does he get off without even a warning?

[eejit]

3 match ban = cop out by UEFA

Should have been banned for tournament duration. Now he could play in the semi-final onwards.

Totti's lawyer did a great job on his behalf.

[obernunes]

Three games for spitting at someone. What a joke. Are the Danes babies. A yellow card maybe. The previously referred to foul was much more egregious, as were the numerous fouls committed by Poulsen against Totti.

Though I am not rooting for the Italians, I can understand if they suspect some kind of plot against them. However, I suspect it's just a bunch of overreacting idiots who overpenalize an unimportant action while allowing much more egregious actions to pass.

[AFCA]

Totti deserved it, and if not for his ugly tackle I doubt he would have been banned for three matches.

Totti is a disgusting Italian ********** so i'm perfectly happy with it. Too bad we don't have any gazza's or jan wouters's around to break his phaggot face.

[SwissGCZ]

Three games for spitting at someone. What a joke. Are the Danes babies.
Tell that to Stig Tofting on the street...

The penalty is well deserved.

[Danish Dynamite]

:cool: Stig Töfting :cool:

[Dark Savante]

Three games for spitting at someone. What a joke. Are the Danes babies. A yellow card maybe. The previously referred to foul was much more egregious, as were the numerous fouls committed by Poulsen against Totti.

Though I am not rooting for the Italians, I can understand if they suspect some kind of plot against them. However, I suspect it's just a bunch of overreacting idiots who overpenalize an unimportant action while allowing much more egregious actions to pass.

Um, you spit in someones face on the street and you're likely to be shot, stabbed or at the very least 'egregiously' attacked. On the field of play it is an instant red card per the rules of the game. I love how you call it unimportant .. are you a fetishist or something :confused: you make it sound like a regular occurance where it most certainly is not. Spitting at someone is the lowest denominator. To spit in someones face multiple times..well, that Poulsen kept his cool shows an amazing discipline. The replays show Totti building up globules in his mouth and blasting them at Poulsen. :mad: other players would have left Totti in hospital nursing a borken nose, but the ban and subsequent ruining of his national career should do a more damaging job than any physical assault can.

Even the Italians cannot defend totti where you feel it was only a yellow card offence? Hah, gotta love this board.

[sardus_pater]

Totti deserved it, and if not for his ugly tackle I doubt he would have been banned for three matches.

Totti is a disgusting Italian ********** so i'm perfectly happy with it. Too bad we don't have any gazza's or jan wouters's around to break his phaggot face.

Tell me about Rijkaard, Afca. ;)

http://home.t-online.de/home/psychiatrie/rijkaard_90voeller.jpg

Is he still loved by you tulips? I guess not, considering the offence he brought to you.
He spat at Voller multiple times and anyone could see it live.

[usscouse]

Totti, a liabillity in any big tounament. Can't handle it..!