Roma striker Mattia Destro has lost his appeal against a three-match Serie A ban for violent conduct, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Thursday afternoon.
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The Italy international, who is Roma's top scorer this season with 13 goals in 18 league apperances, struck Cagliari defender David Astori in the face during the Giallorossi's 3-1 win at Cagliari earlier this month.
A statement from the FIGC read: “Roma's appeal against Mattia Destro's three-match ban following the club's game at Cagliari on April 6 has been turned down.”
Destro has already served the first game of the punishment, a 3-1 win over Atalanta last weekend, and will miss Saturday's game at Fiorentina as well as the home game with AC Milan on April 25.
The 23-year-old must also serve a further match ban for an accumulation of cards and will also miss next month's encounter at Catania.
Destro will return for Roma's home game against Juventus on May 9.
Roma are second in the standings, eight points behind league leaders Juve with five games remaining.