AN Italian footballer has been slapped with a five-match ban for urinating at opposition fans during a Serie D match.

Giovanni Liberti of fourth-tier outfit Turris Calcio was handed the lengthy suspension for an incident during a stoppage in play as they drew 3-3 with Sarnese. 

A disciplinary board found that Liberti "urinated in the direction of the away section, making absence and vulgar gestures to his genital organ."

Turris President Antonio Colantonio was furious with the decision and the club are set to appeal the ban.

“Unfortunately, once again, we find ourselves faced with an injustice,” he said, as reported by Football Italia.

“Our player Liberti absolutely did not do what is alleged. Quite simply in the warm-up area there’s a fountain near the wall and the player, ready to come onto the pitch, was drinking and adjusting his shirt, which by regulation should be inside his shorts.

“The serious thing is that in support of this ban there is only the testimony of the assistant referee positioned on the opposite side of the pitch.

“The visiting club confirmed to us that our player did not do anything of the sort. I’m bitter about the decision of the sporting court, against which we will appeal.”