Muntari banned in Italy for referee attack

Ghana and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has been suspended for two games for hitting out at the referee during a Serie A game at the weekend.

Muntari is reported to have insulted referee Paolo Tagliavento, who sent off Inter players Walter Samuel and Ramiro Cordoba and Samdporia's Giampaolo Pazzini in a game the two sides drew 0-0 late Saturday.

Muntari received the two-game ban for insulting the referee as he was being replaced by a teammate in the wake of the red cards shown to his team-mates.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho was also banned for three matches and fined for his gesture towards the referee during the game.

The Portuguese coach argued with referee Tagliavento after he sent off Inter players Walter Samuel and Ramiro Cordoba.

Sports judge Gianpaolo Tosel said that Mourinho 'repeatedly contested the referee calls with glaring gestures, particularly mimicking (twice) the handcuffs with his wrists crossed, showing them to the public and the television cameras by the pitch.'

Mourinho, was also fined 40,000 euros (54,000 dollars). He had been fined twice and suspended once, for one game, since March 2009.

Argentine Samuel, Colombian Cordoba and Pazzini were suspended for one game, while Argentine Esteban Cambiasso was also banned for two games for trying to punch Samp striker Nicola Pozzi in the changing rooms at half time.

The Serie A leaders were fined 25,000 euros for their responsibility in the behaviour of the fans at the Giuseppe Meazza, plus 5,000 euros for delaying the start of the second half.