Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic faces UEFA disciplinary action and a long ban for spitting on Adrian Mutu even though the Chelsea striker has appealed for clemency.
UEFA will discuss on Friday the case of Mihajlovic, whose actions in stamping on Mutu, as well as spitting into his ear, were caught on camera during Chelsea's Champions League victory in Rome.
The Serb defender, who has previously been found guilty of racially abusing Patrick Vieira, can look forward to a further suspension to add to his automatic one-match ban for a separate red card last night.
Indeed, there is the precedent of a four-match ban given to Celta Vigo midfielder Peter Luccin for a similar act of spitting at an opponent in the UEFA Cup last season.
Mutu joined the widespread condemnation of Mihajlovic's actions in revealing that he had felt "humiliated" by such an "awful insult". However, the Romanian international insisted that the centre-back had already been punished enough, even if his appeals will not stop the UEFA investigation which has already started.
Mutu said: "I am disappointed with Mihajlovic's behaviour, he hit me when the ball was out of play. If this is his character, it is worse for him and for Lazio. I am not someone who cries about these things though. These things happen on the pitch. This is a man's game. I don't think he should be punished or that further action should be taken.
"The good thing is that we have won, we have taken three important points. I go home a happy man and he doesn't."
Lazio coach Roberto Mancini issued an apology on behalf of Mihajlovic, who was also seen throwing a water bottle at the Chelsea dugout after being dismissed for two later fouls on Damien Duff.
"I'm very sorry as he's a very nice man who doesn't normally do that sort of thing." said Mancini. "But usually when someone has that kind of reaction, it is reacting to something else that has been done to them.
"Unfortunately, I didn't really see what happened but I have heard that perhaps Mutu first used his elbow. "If, however, Sinisa then spat at him then it is a very serious thing and he will pay for it, I'm sure."
A further suspension now seems inevitable, however, as the video evidence appears to be incontrovertible and it will be reviewed at Friday's hearing by UEFA.
A statement on UEFA's official website stated: "Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic faces a UEFA disciplinary investigation for an alleged spitting offence against a Chelsea player in last night's UEFA Champions League encounter in Rome. The allegations will be dealt with by UEFA on Friday November 7th."