Soccer: Costa 4-match ban for spitting

(ANSA) - Rome, September 18 - Juventus' Brazilian winger Douglas Costa got a four-match ban Tuesday for spitting at Sassuolo's winger Federico Di Francesco in Juve's 2-1 win on Sunday.
    Costa has defended himself by saying Di Francesco racially insulted him, a charge the Sassuolo player denies.
    Di Francesco said earlier: "I won't allow racist behaviour and/or phrases to be attributed to me, which do not belong to my ethical values and are the fruit of other people's imagination.
    "I am deeply disturbed by the innuendo and inventions that have appeared in some national media.
    "All this is offensive and derogatory," said the Emilian club's player.