A FOOTBALLER could be investigated after sickening video emerged of him appearing to shove a player to the ground and then trample an opponent’s head.
It resulted in a red card for Cittadella captain Simone Branca in a heated Serie B match against SPAL that ended 0-0.
Branca could be seen in the 96th minute of the game coming head-to-head with SPAL midfielder Salvatore Esposito, 22, before raking his studs on the back of his head.
The shocking footage has sparked outrage online with fans calling for harsh penalties against the Italian.
One wrote on Reddit that he should be “banned for five games” while another believes he should be banned “for the season.”
One would like to see it be taken a step further saying he should “face criminal prosecution for assault.”
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
It was the first match for former Italian star Daniele De Rossi in his new role as coach for SPAL.
The former Roma defensive midfielder is the latest 2006 World Cup winner to appear in Italy’s second tier and the sixth different manager of the club since the start of 2020.
The match played at the Pier Cesare Tombolato saw the hosts playing the second half outnumbered due to a second yellow card for midfielder Andrea Danzi before half time.
It was a reaction to a foul in the second half that sparked Branca’s red, leaving him open to a probe by the Italian Football Federation.
Most read in Football
Three SPAL players were given yellow cards but the visitors were spared any reds.
It’s the sixth consecutive season in the second division for Cittadella, who are currently sitting 14th of the ladder, one spot behind SPAL.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
