Lazio´s Zarate faces lengthy ban

Lazio striker Mauro Zarate is facing a lengthy ban from the Serie A after a brawl at the end of the fiery clash at Bologna on Sunday.

Zarate, who only played for half the match after substituting new signing Giuseppe Sculli in the 41st minute, was caught on camera punching a referee’s assistant.

Bologna won 3-1 but coach Alberto Malesani was furious after the match, claiming that Zarate also spat in the face of defender Matteo Rubin.

An earlier scuffle saw Andre Dias sent off and Henry Gimenez red carded from the Bologna bench.

But worse was to come at the final whistle.

A brawl broke out on the touchline with Zarate at the centre of it. Video footage showed he threw the ball at Matteo Rubin’s head, then provoked a pushing match with two opponents.

He tried to swing a punch at Albin Ekdal, but accidentally caught the linesman on the side of the head.

“Zarate also spat at Rubin,” claimed Bologna coach Malesani.

“Gaston Ramirez needs X-rays for a fractured cheekbone from Dias in the first half. Diego Perez reacted to defend his teammate, as did Gimenez before that red card.”

“Perhaps Zarate was coming off a period of tension and he even spat at Rubin’s face after hitting him with the ball following the final whistle.”

“Our Uruguayans are good people and mentally strong. It’s not right that all this chaos ruins a great performance and 3-1 victory.”

It has been a tough month for Bologna, who were docked three points for financial irregularities and this week saw new President Massimo Zanetti resign.

Marco Di Vaio, a product of the Lazio youth academy, stunned his former club with two goals in the fiery encounter at the Dall’Ara after Sergio Floccari had given Lazio a fifth minute lead.