Gilardino's hand-ball appeal rejected

Fiorentina have failed with an appeal against a two-game suspension handed to striker Alberto Gilardino for his controversial goal in the 3-1 weekend win over Palermo.

Gilardino scored against the Sicilians to take his tally to seven in Serie A this term, but TV replays showed that he had used his hand to divert the ball into the net.

A subsequent disciplinary commission handed down a two-game ban to the in-form former AC Milan striker and Gilardino will now miss the games against Internazionale and Siena.

Coach Cesare Prandelli told the club's official website: "Both Fiorentina and Alberto Gilardino have been attacked.

"I believe in Alberto, but the thing that angers me most is that there has been such an onslaught against a lad who has always played the game so earnestly.

"He has scored a hundred goals and never tried to do so with his hand, but someone has tried to use the fact that this club respects the values of fair play against us.

"As referee boss Cesare Gussoni underlined, the incident should have been a penalty and defender Hernan Dellafiore should have been sent off.

"But that's the last I will say because I don't want to cause controversy."

Another man in trouble is Internazionale striker Adriano, who has been dropped by coach Jose Mourinho for the clash with La Viola, after the Brazilian striker turned up late for training this week.

The troubled 26-year-old has impressed for Inter since the arrival of Mourinho in the summer, but has blotted his copybook with the Portuguese again and will miss the midweek action.

Mourinho told the Italian media: "Adriano trained from nine to ten on Tuesday morning and I don't want to comment any further.

"I don't let my children do whatever they want, so why should I let my players get away with anything?

"That's the way I am and I won't change. The players know that, someone forgot that but it isn't a problem.

"We have a relationship of empathy, which means honesty and sincerity and not always kisses."