The Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio, who pushed a referee to the ground during an English Premiership match last month, has been banned for eleven games by the English Football Association.

An FA discplinary panel also imposed a fine of sixteen-thousand dollars for the offence, which happened after the player was sent off by the refere,e Paul Alcock.

The Italian has been suspended since the incident by his club, Sheffield Wednesday.

Di Canio's actions caused uproar in the British press, and the Sports Minister Tony Banks asked the FA to impose a heavy punishment.