Mihajlovic Banned for Eight Matches

Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic has been suspended for eight matches by Uefa for spitting at Adrian Mutu and kicking out at an official during Chelsea's 4-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in midweek.

Mihajlovic was sent off in the 52nd minute after chopping down Damien Duff - his second yellow card - but he was also caught on video spitting at Mutu.

A Uefa statement confirmed: "The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body today imposed an eight-match ban on Sinisa Mihajlovic for spitting at and kicking an opponent as well as for his improper conduct towards a Uefa official following his red card during the Uefa Champions League defeat by Chelsea FC on November 4.

"In addition to the suspension, Uefa has fined Mihajlovic £12,700 for his repeated unsporting behaviour."

Uefa confirmed that they had taken into account the Serb's previous record in reaching its decision. Three years ago he was suspended for calling Arsenal's Patrick Vieira a "fucking black monkey".

At the time Mihajlovic he had made reference to Vieira's colour but denied the insults were racist. "Yes, it's true I said 'black shit', but he provoked me by saying 'gypsy shit'," he said. "I called him black but I might just as well have called him French. If I'm a racist then at this point so is he for calling me a gypsy."

"I don't have anything against blacks."

Mihajlovic's suspension will apply to Uefa club competition matches. He has until midnight on Monday November 10 to appeal against the decision.