Sassuolo defender Federico Di Francesco has hit out at social media claims of his role in Douglas Costa's spitting incident.

There's been suggestions the Juventus midfielder reacted to racist taunts.

But Di Francesco said: “On social media they attacked my character.

“I was disappointed but I tried to remove myself from this situation and I thank the Coach [Roberto De Zerbi] and my family.

“I just want to talk about the pitch and work, and leave behind this chapter which isn't a good thing, but which happened.

“What did I say? I don't want to talk about it. It's normal that there are dirty words on the pitch. But I absolutely did not say racist things.

“I'd die right now if I used racist words, now I don't want to talk about it for the rest of my career."