Official: Koulibaly ban stays

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly will miss Sunday’s Serie A clash with Lazio after his appeal to have a ban lifted was dismissed.

Koulibaly was subjected to racist abuse during Napoli’s 1-0 defeat to Inter on Boxing Day yet came away with a two-match ban after he protested a second bookable offence.

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly will miss Sunday’s Serie A clash with Lazio after his appeal to have a ban lifted was dismissed.

Koulibaly was subjected to racist abuse during Napoli’s 1-0 defeat to Inter on Boxing Day yet came away with a two-match ban after he protested a second bookable offence.

The Senegalese appeared in court on Friday to contest the suspension, alongside club lawyer Mattia Grassani and President Aurelio De Laurentiis, but the Partenopei’s ‘confidence’ in a positive outcome has proved unfounded.

The 27-year-old had already sat out the southerners’ 3-2 win against Bologna on December 29, so he will only have to miss one more League match.