Inter Milan youth team player Simone Pecorini has been hit with a nine-month ban.

He was suspended for insulting the referee during the NextGen Series victory.

The Nerazzurri won the tournament, which is the Under-19 version of the Champions League, last Sunday under Coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

"There was no violence, but simply a verbal protest," insisted agent Giorgio Parretti.

"We found a video clip and have sent it to Inter for the appeal. The lad made a mistake, but such a huge ban is certainly out of proportion."

Stramaccioni has since been promoted as Coach of the senior Inter squad and commented on the incident.

"Unfortunately I did not see anything, as I wasn't present. What I can say is that I was taken aback by this story because Pecorini is a fantastic lad who rarely complains. It seems strange that he would be so naive as to do something that serious."