Lazio duo Marchetti, Dias banned

Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and Brazilian defender Andre Dias have picked up four and three match bans respectively for aggressive behaviour in Sunday's 2-0 loss to Udinese.

The pair were involved in a bizarre incident in injury time when the Lazio defence stopped playing with Udinese substitute Roberto Pereyra then scoring his team's second goal.

Dias motioned that he had heard the referee blow his whistle, and was subsequently sent off for protesting.

Their bans will make Lazio's pursuit of a third place finish and with it Champions League football next season all the more complicated.

The Rome side are lying sixth on goal difference on 55 points, the same total as the three clubs immediately above them.

Lazio are already missing injured playmaker Hernanes and German veteran striker Miroslav Klose for the Serie A run in.

In handing down Monday's punishments the Italian Football League declared that Marchetti "had violently pushed the referee, putting his hand on the official's shoulder".

Dias for his part was sanctioned "for his aggressive and strongly intimidating behaviour towards the fourth official".

Referee Mauro Bergonzi explained that it was not he who had whistled but someone in the stands.