Inter＊s Walter Samuel has been suspended for three matches after spitting at Pavel Nedved of Juventus.

The Italian football authorities have handed Samuel the ban, after TV evidence from Saturday＊s Italian Super Cup match was evaluated.

Footage shows the Argentine, who only arrived from Real Madrid in the summer, spit at the Czech ace in Inter＊s 1-0 win.

The former Roma central defender is now set to miss the Serie A matches against Treviso, Palermo and Lecce.

Inter are likely to appeal against the punishment, especially as the player himself has pleaded his innocence.

"I may have spat but it wasn＊t targeted at Nedved, it was aimed at the ground," stated the South American.

Nedved himself said: "I＊ve been told of what happened but I didn＊t realise anything at the time."