De Rossi faces lengthy ban

UEFA will decide the immediate playing future of Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi on March 18.

The Italy international elbowed Shakhtar Donetsk full-back Darijo Srna in an off-the-ball incident at the Donbas Arena on Tuesday in a Champions League tie.

English referee Howard Webb and his assistants did not see the elbow, but De Rossi will be tried by video evidence.

De Rossi, 27, is expected to receive a three or four match ban which would make him ineligible for selection in this month’s international fixtures.

Roma team-mate Francesco Totti offered his support after UEFA launched a probe into alleged “inappropriate behaviour” by De Rossi.

“I am close to Daniele in this moment of difficulty, as I have been through the same thing,” Totti said, as reported by the Adnkronos press agency.

“But, I am sure he will realise his mistake, and he will come out from it.”

“You suffer more when you want to help the team and results don’t arrive. But, the passion and love with which one wears the shirt should never be questioned.”

Meanwhile, Totti risks missing the derby with Lazio on Sunday with a muscle injury to his left leg which ruled him out of training on Thursday.