Fernando Couto hit with four-match ban

Veteran defender set to miss closing weeks of season

Fernando Couto will miss most of the remainder of the season after receiving a four-match suspension following an altercation with Giorgio Chiellini in Wednesday’s match with Juventus.

The Portuguese was sent off in the closing minutes as the Parma went down to a 3-0 defeat in Turin, automatically earning himself a one-match ban, but the incident with Chiellini at the end of the first half was also picked up by the Disciplinary Commission.

Couto had already squared up to the Juve defender earlier in the half, but the hostility continued when the 37-year-old struck Chiellini in the face with his fist as the pair tussled to get on to a cross in the Parma penalty area. However, the referee missed the clash and no action was taken.

After watching videos of the incident, the Disciplinary Commission have now suspended Couto, who was sent off for dissent in the final minutes, for an additional three matches, meaning he will miss four of Parma’s remaining five games in their battle to stay in Serie A.

Couto’s second red card of the season leaves Hector Cuper’s men, who are currently in 17th in the table and just one point above the drop zone, in even graver danger as they head into a run-in which includes matches against Fiorentina and champions Inter.


Related: Fernando Couto PortuGOAL profile