ROME: Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira was handed a three-match ban by the Italian football league's disciplinary council for the red card he received in the Serie A match against Roma.
The French captain was sent off on Wednesday night for picking up two yellow cards in his side's 1-0 win at the Olympic stadium, an offence which would normally result in a lighter penalty.
But Vieira was hit harder for allegedly using foul and abusive language towards the referee.
Inter Milan director Marco Branca said the club would appeal against the punishment.
Vieira was sent off in the Champions League defeat against Sporting Lisbon last week.
