Italian football disciplinary chiefs today referred Lazio's Portuguese defender Fernando Couto to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) disciplinary committee and demanded that he be banned for 16 months, ANSA news agency reported.
A similar penalty has been demanded for Nicola Caccia and Stefano Sacchetti who both play for second division Piacenza and - like Couto - failed anti-doping tests.
Formally rejecting a request made last week for the Couto affair to be abandoned the 'sporting judges' - trained lawyers who handle such matters for the FIGC - handed the matter over to their disciplinary panel.
Lazio club doctor Andrea Campi said: "I am perplexed and stupefied by this decision. I find this unacceptable especially for someone like me who believes in and loves justice."
Perugia players Salvatore Monaco and Cristian Bucchi and Pescara's Andrea Da Rold have already been handed 16-month bans for smilar defences but are appealing the decision.
Last month Couto was suspended pending a hearing after a second sample confirmed that the 31-year-old had tested positive for nandrolone after the match against Fiorentina on January 28. -AFP