Juventus have said they will not appeal against a
four-game ban handed to their winger Douglas Costa for a tussle in
which he spat at an opponent during a Serie A game, the league said
Tuesday.
Brazil international Costa, 28, was involved in an altercation with
Federico di Francesco of Sassuolo towards the end of Sunday's game,
which Juventus won 2-1.
Costa was sent off having been seen aiming an elbow and headbutt at
Di Francesco before spitting at him from close-range.
undefined"On Sunday, Douglas Costa had a moment of blackout that should not
happen, but it happens to everyone," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri
said. "He will pay the price with a four-match suspension and the
club won't be appealing against it.
"It means that we'll be without him in the league for a month and a
half, so we've suffered as a team, whilst he is in shock at the
minute because it is something very uncharacteristic of him and his
usual high standards of fair play.
"He is very sorry, surprised and, over time, he'll have the chance to
show that it was not his usual behaviour."
The ban applies only to Italian league games, meaning Costa can play
in Juventus' Champions League opener at Valencia on Wednesday.