Pablo Osvaldo Suspended From Roma, Likely To See Azzurri Punishment As Well

In case you hadn't heard, Pablo Osvaldo and Erik Lamela got into a little, let's call it, altercation in the AS Roma dressing room on Friday after the 2-0 loss to Udinese. It's understandable that tempers were high, what with the bianconeri rarely letting Roma touch the ball and all that. But Osvaldo took it a bit too far and actually punched Lamela, something clubs tend to frown on these days. Roma took action, fining the forward E50,000 and suspending him for ten days. But considering that span of time only encompasses the Fiorentina match, and the Viola haven't managed to score in their last three outings, it likely doesn't hurt the giallorossi all that much.

Similarly, just how much will it hurt the Italy squad to deny Osvaldo his third senior cap? It must be done, of course, as Cesare Prandelli has punished Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi for lesser offense that have broken his strict rules, but perhaps it's just a blessing in disguise. The azzurri squad, almost certainly without Antonio Cassano for Euro 2012, needs to decide upon its regulars. Here's Prandelli's chance to put in Antonio Di Natale.

It's one thing if you're throwing darts at youth team players. It's another if you're throwing punches. You're old enough to know better, Osvaldo, and the punishment should hurt you, not the squads you play for.