Napoli midfielder Daniele Mannini has been stunned by his 12-month doping ban.

"I would have considered even a one-day ban to have been a massive injustice," snapped Mannini in a Press release.

"The decision came like a bolt from the blue. I never ever could have imagined this conclusion. Considering what happened, I expected to be completely cleared."

The ban has infuriated Italian football, as the FIGC announced it is helping stage an appeal and all Serie A and B games this weekend will kick off 15 minutes late in protest.

"I very much appreciated the support from the FIGC, the Lega Calcio, Napoli and President Aurelio De Laurentiis," continued Mannini.

"I am convinced they will continue to help me during this situation. I hope that all this clamour does not end and that words are transformed into a real possibility of getting me back on the field."