Saudi striker banned for eight matches for spitting

Al Hilal forward Nasser al-Shamrani has been suspended for eight matches for spitting at an opponent during the second leg of the Asian Champions League final.

The Saudi striker, who was named as Asian player of the year despite the incident, will serve the ban in continental competition after spitting at Western Sydney Wanderers’ defender Matthew Spiranovic after November’s final.

In other suspensions announced by the Asian Football Confederation on Saturday, Guangzhou Evergrande coach Marcello Lippi was suspended for four matches for an on-field altercation during the quarterfinals against Western Sydney. Lippi, now retired, was also fined $5,000.

Guangzhou assistant coach Massimiliano Maddaloni, team physiotherapist Silvaro Cotti and Wanderers head coach Tony Popovic were each suspended for two matches and fined $2,000 for the same incident.