Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain’s four-match ban for violently protesting on the pitch about a red card was cut to three on appeal yesterday but the 20,000 euro ($23,000) fine stood, the Italian FA said yesterday.
The Italian FA gave no reason for the decision.
The 28-year-old Argentine pushed the referee and shouted at him before being removed from the field by his team mates during Napoli’s 3-1 loss to Udinese on April 3.
Higuain, a Serie A top scorer, will be back in time to help his team hold off third-placed Roma, who are trailing Napoli by six points.
Napoli, six points behind league leaders Juventus, face fourth-placed Inter today who are still hoping to get a place in next season’s Champions League.