Juventus winger Douglas Costa has been banned for four Serie A matches after committing a trio of offenses during Sunday's win over Sassuolo.
Tuesday's suspension comes two days after the Brazilian was issued a red card near the end of Juve's 2-1 victory for his role in a nasty altercation with Sassuolo forward Federico Di Francesco.
The first incident occurred when Costa delivered an elbow to Di Francesco's face. He then planted a headbutt on the son of Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco.
The two continued to argue afterward before Costa spat in Di Francesco's mouth. It was only after a VAR review that Costa was issued a straight red card in the final moments.
Costa took to social media to issue an apology, which led to accusations that Di Francesco had made a racial slur as the Juventus player claimed, per ESPN: "You don't know what he said to me."
Di Francesco later rejected claims of racial abuse, claiming that the accusation was made up.
"I am profoundly upset by the allegations and the inventions which have appeared on various national media outlets," he said. "All of this is offensive and denigratory.
"I will not allow racist behaviour and/or phrases that do not pertain to to my values and ethics, and that are fruits of the imagination of others, be attributed to me. I ask for and demand respect."
Costa's suspension will take effect immediately, resulting in him missing matches against Frosinone, Bologna, Napoli, and Udinese.
