Fiorentina forward Mauro Zarate has expressed his astonishment at the three-game ban he was given for receiving a red card at the weekend.
The former West Ham United forward was given his marching orders late on in Fiorentina's 2-1 win over Inter Milan when he put his hands around the neck of Inter defender Murillo and said something in his ear.
There did not seem to be any particular violence to his actions, and Murillo did not retaliate other than verbally, but the gesture was enough to earn a red card and a subsequent three-game ban for violent conduct from the disciplinary committee of the Lega Serie A, which the player was stunned to hear about.
Si si...3 giornate per fare questo !!! pic.twitter.com/rvBfTxBvYg
- Mauro Zarate (@mau_zeta) February 16, 2016
"I'm lost for words!" he tweeted. "I'm watching the game right now on Sky Sport and I cannot believe it!!!!!"
He subsequently posted a close-up picture of the incident and added the comment "yes, yes...three matches for this!!!"
Fiorentina are set to appeal the decision, although the Argentine is certain to miss La Viola's next league game against Atalanta. Should the appeal be unsuccessful, the 28-year-old will also miss key games against Napoli and Roma.
Inter's Geoffrey Kondogbia has been given a two-game ban for the red card he received after the final whistle, when he applauded the referee ironically.