Juventus winger Douglas Costa faces a lengthy ban for spitting at a Sassuolo player during an Italian Football match on Monday (NZ time).
The Brazilian was dismissed late in the match, after a video assistant referee intervention for spitting at Federico di Francesco, following a running feud with the opponent he also elbowed and head-butted.
Costa was initially shown a yellow card, but when replays showed him spitting into the face of Di Francesco, he was dismissed via VAR.
After the match, Costa apologised to his teammates and the club's fans on Instagram.
"I would like to apologise to all Juventus fans for this misleading reaction in today’s game. I also apologise to my teammates, who are always with me in beautiful and bad moments.
"I was ugly, I am aware of it and I apologise to everyone for this. I make it clear that this isolated attitude does not correspond to what I have always shown in my career."
Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri said Costa would be fined for the incident.
"Even if he was fouled, these episodes must not happen," Allegri said. "It's only right that he is fined, and he certainly will be.
"I was surprised by his reaction. We have suffered a goal, a red card and a suspension which will be long."
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first two goals for Juventus, as the Italian champions won the match 2-1.
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