Lazio defender Patric has been banned four matches and fined for intentionally biting Lecce's Giulio Donati. Photo by pressinphoto/Sipa USA

Lazio defender Patric banned, fined for biting opponent

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jul 8, 2020 3:20 PM ET

Move over, Luis Suarez. You've got some company in a rather infamous category.

Lazio defender Patric has been banned four matches and fined €10,000 for intentionally biting Lecce's Giulio Donati in stoppage time of Tuesday's Serie A match.

Two minutes into stoppage time, several players from the opposing sides gathered inside the Lecce penalty area. Donati extended his arms to separate opponents, and Patric responded by chomping on Donati.

Cameras caught a clear view of the bite, and Patric was deservedly sent off for the crime.

Per ESPN, the league decided against harsher punishments.

The previously mentioned Suarez received a lengthy suspension after he bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. While Suarez was a repeat offender, Patric could have faced a similar ban for unhygienic behavior during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Following Tuesday's results, Lazio trail league-leaders Juventus by seven points. Both clubs have seven matchdays remaining on their domestic calendars.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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