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Genoa's Pinilla given five-game ban for slapping referee

The Italian top flight's disciplinary commission has given the Chilean a hefty suspension after his dismissal during the weekend's defeat

Genoa forward Mauricio Pinilla has been banned for five games after striking referee Claudio Gavillucci during his team's 5-0 Serie A defeat to Atalanta on Sunday, the league's disciplinary commission has announced.

Pinilla - who is on loan at Genoa from Atalanta - was dismissed for two bookings in quick succession on the hour with his side trailing 2-0 to goals by Andrea Conti and Alejandro Gomez at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The Chile international received his first yellow card for a rash challenge on Atalanta goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and subsequently remonstrated with the match official.