Serbian winger Milos Krasic of Juventus, seen here on October 21, was given a two-match suspension on Tuesday after a dive to win a penalty against Bologna, the Italian Football Federation said.
ROME (AFP) - Serbian winger Milos Krasic, who plays for Italian club Juventus, was given a two-match suspension on Tuesday after a dive to win a penalty against Bologna, the Italian Football Federation said.
Krasic was awarded the penalty in Sunday's game, even though subsequent TV replays showed it was a clear dive by the Serbian. The penalty was saved by Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, the current Italy number one.
A similar ban was administered to Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino last season after he scored a goal with his arm.
Even in Italy, a country where contact, even the slightest brush, is considered a foul and cases of clear simulation are ignored, Krasic has been widely condemned for what was an indisputable dive.
But Juventus managing director Jean-Claude Blanc had sprung to Krasic's defence on Monday, saying: "Every player has his reputation and Milos's is one of a player who is clean and respects the rules."
Italy has a history of hitting players with bans for obvious dives.
Current Roma forward Adriano was hit with a two-game ban in April 2007 for having earnt a penalty with a dive when playing for Inter Milan against Roma.
And also in 2007 Pablo Zalayeta was hit with the same punishment for having won a penalty with a dive against Juventus.
In October 2005 Serbian Ivica Iliev was banned for three matches after he won a penalty for Messina against Ascoli with a dive.
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