Inter midfielder Melo banned for three games for head kick

Inter Milan midfielder Felipe Melo has been banned for three games for kicking an opponent in the head.

The Brazilian, who had already conceded a penalty, was sent off towards the end of Inter's 2-1 home defeat to Lazio on Sunday after clouting Lazio's Lucas Biglia in the side of his face with a high boot.

Melo was subsequently hit with a hefty suspension by Lega Serie A, who on Tuesday charged him with violent conduct - namely "voluntarily striking an opponent with a kick above shoulder height".

The ban rules the former Galatasaray player out of January trips to Empoli and Atalanta, and the intervening meeting with Sassuolo at San Siro.