Totti spitting ban could wreck Italy’s chances

FRANCESCO Totti, the player Italy have built their Euro 2004 team around, will find out on later today whether he gets a hefty suspension for spitting at Denmark’s Christian Poulsen in Monday’s 0-0 draw.

UEFA has charged Totti with “gross unsporting conduct” following a complaint from the Danish Football Association (DBU).

Totti’s fate will be determined at a UEFA disciplinary committee hearing.

If found guilty the Roma forward could be forced to sit out several matches and, if UEFA takes a hard line, could even be banned for the rest of the competition.

The DBU said in a statement that: “Totti on several occasions, unprovoked, spat in Poulsen’s face. That is now clearly proved by television footage and still pictures from the match.”

UEFA have already had talked to Poulsen about the incident during the Group C match in Guimaraes.