Post by Taxigirl on Feb 4, 2004 9:34:27 GMT
The Disciplinary Commission has suspended Inter defender Marco Materazzi until March 29 after he punched Siena’s Bruno Cirillo.
The Italian international was spotted by the linesman striking out at Cirillo following Sunday’s 4-0 win at the San Siro.
Materazzi admitted he had struck the opponent and issued a public apology, but the Disciplinary Commission’s report indicates “there was no provocation” ahead of what was "a gratuitous act of violence with no sense of self-control".
Cirillo has threatened legal action of his own “to get justice and not revenge” after he suffered a split lip and bruised face in the incident.
Materazzi was not even on the bench for this game as he is still suffering from a thigh injury, but sat on the sidelines with several members of the Inter staff.
Siena defender Cirillo maintains he was goaded and insulted throughout the encounter and at the final whistle went to ask for an explanation.
A scuffle took place on the way back to the dressing rooms and it is here that the version of events takes a twist.
Materazzi maintains he was acting in self defence, while Cirillo insists he was first slapped and then punched squarely in the jaw.
Inter are expected to inflict their own punishment on the player - rumoured to be a fine of up to £35,000 - but the club has been fined £3,500 for this incident.
Italian international Materazzi will miss eight Serie A games - including the Milan derby on Feb 21 and the trip to Roma - plus the two Coppa Italia semi-finals against Juventus and the Feb 18 Azzurri friendly with the Czech Republic.
Another seven players were suspended in Serie A this week, as Ancona midfielder Sean Sogliano received a two-match ban for an off the ball incident.
A one-match ban was handed to Nastos (Perugia), Codrea (Perugia), D’Aversa (Siena), Donadel (Parma), Ferrari (Parma) and Tonetto (Lecce).