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WORLD CUP USA ‘94: SEMIFINALS : Italy Appealing Tassotti’s Suspension

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The Italians are appealing the eight-game suspension of defender Mauro Tassotti, who used his elbow to break the nose of Spaniard Luis Enrique in the quarterfinals.

Italian officials and players figured Tassotti would have to miss the rest of the World Cup, but they are furious he also will have to miss games in the coming European championships.

They angrily point to the four-game suspension of Brazil’s Leonardo for elbowing U.S. midfielder Tab Ramos and fracturing Ramos’ skull.

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“It’s a great injustice,” defender Alessandro Costacurta said.

Added defender Paolo Maldini: “It’s too excessive . . . an absolute injustice. The fact that (Enrique’s) nose broke probably influenced their decision. Sometimes there are worse fouls that aren’t even called.”

Midfielder Gianfranco Zola also will sit out today’s semifinal game against Bulgaria while serving the second game of a two-game suspension for drawing a red card in the second round against Nigeria.

Zola is worth noting because he picked up that card during only 11 minutes of action in this tournament.

For the first time since the first round, Bulgaria will be at full strength. That everyone is eligible is amazing, considering the Bulgarians have been given a tournament-high 19 yellow cards and two red cards.

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