INTERNATIONAL

• Italy's Totti in trouble for spitting incident

  
  

  Lisbon, Portugal (Sports Network) - Italy striker Francesco Totti has until midnight Wednesday to submit a statement or explanation after television replays show him spitting on Denmark's Christian Poulsen.

  Italy and Denmark played to a scoreless draw in each countries EURO 2004 opener on Monday.

  "We have instigated disciplinary proceedings against Francesco Totti for gross unsporting conduct, notably a spitting offence against the Danish player Poulsen," UEFA, European football's governing board, said in a statement. "(Totti) can submit his statement until midnight (Wednesday). The decision will be taken (Thursday) morning and should be notified to the Italian team."

  Totti faces a possible lengthy suspension for his actions. The incident was brought to UEFA's attention by the Danish Football Union (DBU).

  "Totti, on several occasions, unprovoked, spat in Poulsen's face," the DBU explained.

  The loss of Totti could be crucial to Italy, which came into the competition as the Group C favorites. They wait to hear the fate of one of their top players before taking the field again on Friday against Sweden.

  06/16 13:09:41 ET