Parma defender Fernando Couto was banned for three matches by the Italian league Tuesday for spitting at an opponent.
The incident with Livorno forward Erjon Bogdani occurred during Parma's 3-2 win Sunday.
Couto will miss games with Palermo, Siena and Juventus.
23 October 2007
Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has set his sights on emulating Alessandro Del Piero and becoming a Bianconeri legend.
The Azzurri custodian is a beloved figure amongst the Old Lady's faithful and was amongst Del Piero's most vocal supporters during his difficult period.
'I want to be a Juve idol like Del Piero,' Buffon told Rai Sport.
'I'd like to truly earn a place in the fans' hearts. I want to be a reference point for them and be remembered when I quit. My biggest wish is to win the Champions League in this shirt and continue to prove myself with the national side.'
Buffon has excelled in Juve's return to calcio's top table and been one of the reasons that they are currently sitting in second place.
'We are doing so well – much better than was expected in pre-season,' the ex-Parma man stated.
'We may not have the quality of the past, but we are a hard-working squad and we are sure that we can do just as well.'
Despite his passion for the Turin giants, Buffon finished by praising Milan's finest.
'Inter are strongest side in Italy and they have a strength in depth that nobody else has,' he admitted. 'But I think Kaka deserves the Ballon d'Or.'
13 October 2007
Misfiring Inter Milan striker Adriano is still struggling for fitness after a back problem sidelined him from training earlier today.
The Nerazzurri who aren't on international duty were called up to take part in a light aerobic session at Appiano Gentile this afternoon, but the Brazilian didn't participate.
Instead, the South American took part in some light gym work as he struggles to recover from a back injury that he picked up around 10 days ago.
The former Fiorentina and Parma youngster has had a tough start to the season given the severe competition for places in the starting XI.
After being dropped altogether from the club's Champions League squad, Adriano has made just three Serie A appearances so far this term.
The Italian champions have been given tomorrow off by boss Roberto Mancini and will return to the Coach's disposal on Monday afternoon.
13 October 2007
Italian Under-21s striker Giuseppe Rossi has admitted that he is surprised to be playing his football in Spain with Villarreal this season.
The 20-year-old impressed while on loan at Parma last term, but made a summer switch to Villarreal from Manchester United and has made a flying start to his Primera Liga career - scoring five goals in seven games for the Yellow Submarine.
Rossi said: "I don't feel like I have been snubbed by the country I developed in, I think it's wrong to look at football according to national boundaries. I was really convinced that I would stay in Serie A, but then came the offer from Villarreal and they were the only ones to make a concrete bid. England is a more physical style of play and in Italy you need to use your head, but Spain gives you more freedom."
09 October 2007
Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta will be sidelined for around three weeks after sustaining knee-ligament damage.
The 30-year-old suffered the injury to his left knee in his team's 3-0 triumph at Parma on Sunday and will now miss Italy's Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Saturday.
He is also set to miss Roma's Serie A clash against Napoli on October 21 and the Champions League encounter with Sporting Lisbon two days later.
03 October 2007
Nigerian striking prodigy Victor Obinna has cheated death after a serious car crash on the way back from training with Chievo.
The former Cagliari and Parma target was driving towards Verona when he had to swerve to avoid a car that was attempting to overtake at a corner.
Obinna's Audi spun and rolled several times before coming to rest upside down and the talented youngster was taken to hospital amist fears he may have sustained life-threatening injuries.
'When I saw the car I thought the worst as it had been completely destroyed,' Chievo club doctor Giuliano Corradini recalled.
'But then I saw Obi and he was already conscious and talking and it calmed me down. He has bruises everywhere and is in shock after the crash.'
Obinna's recovery has been described as 'miraculous' by teammate Aleandro Rosi, who was a few cars behind him when the accident happened.
The scene of the crash was incredibly just 100 metres from the spot where Congolese player Jason Mayele tragically died in a crash in March 2002.
The 26-year-old had been one of the club's brightest hopes and the number 30 shirt at Chievo has been retired in his honour.
Amazingly, Obinna is expected to miss just one game as a result of his near-death experience and could be ready to play against Ascoli in Week 9.
01 October 2007
In the wake of Walter Novellino's furious condemnation of Turin derby referee Gianluca Rocchi, Torino president Urbano Cairo has agreed with the team manager.
David Trezeguet gave Juventus all three points in the 93rd minute of the close-fought encounter, but there was more than a hint of offside about the Frenchman's late strike.
Novellino reacted angrily, and Cairo was no less apoplectic as he offered words of support for the boss.
"Once again, a refereeing mistake has cost us," he seethed.
"That's the third game in a row that this has happened. Against Siena, the opposition gained two penalties while Wednesday's match [against Parma] we had a claim rejected when Cesare Natali was fouled. At least we're getting used to it."
Still, Cairo did take some positives from the match, thanking his players for their commitment.
"I congratulated the team for the way they played," he said. "We walked off with heads held high, regardless of our rotten luck. We were the better side, and [goalkeeper] Matteo Sereni barely had a save to make."
Torino, still winless, lie fourth from bottom with four draws so far.
