Juventus striker Douglas Costa has been suspended for four Serie A games for spitting on Federico Di Francesco of Sassuolo during a Serie A game on Sunday, the Italian league said.

Costa initially received only a yellow card after hitting Di Francesco with his elbow and head, but was sent off after cameras caught him spitting on the same opponent in another argument.

Juventus won the match 2-1 despite the expulsion of Costa, who apologized for his behavior in a statement after the match.

The 28-year-old Brazilian will miss the games against Frosinone, Bologna, Napoli and Udinese but can be called up to face Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday afternoon.