Brazilian defender Danilo who now plays for Udinese has been sentenced to a year prison in Brazil for offences he committed while playing for Palmeiras against Atletico Paranaensein 2010.
From ESPN Soccernet:
Danilo, 28, was on trial after being caught by a television camera spitting in the face of Atletico Paranaense player Manoel and calling him "macaco" - monkey in the Portuguese language - when playing for Palmeiras in 2010.
He later publicly admitted that he offended and spat at the opponent who reported the matter to a local police station immediately after the game.
Udinese owner Gino Pozzo defended the player:
The sentence decided by the court is absurd and it seems that none of the experts, worldwide, has pointed out that such a decision is beyond any common logic.
It seems to me that no one has ever played football or does not know the reality of how things are during a game and immediately after. [Danilo] is a serious guy, a model professional and during these years he never had any attitude uncivilized and disrespectful.
There always will will be moments of nervousness due to adrenalin of the players and the competitive tension, but at the final whistle everything falls within the fold of normal. I believe that this judgment should interested Fifa.
It is expected that the sentence will be reduced to a €127,000 fine on appeal.
