Roma have lodged an immediate appeal against a two-game ban handed to midfielder Kevin Strootman based on television evidence.
The Lega Serie A announced on Tuesday that Strootman, 26, had been banned for "the evident simulation which determined the dismissal of an opposition player" as he fell to the ground after being confronted by Lazio's Danilo Cataldi during a heated Eternal City derby on Sunday.
Cataldi, who was a Lazio substitute warming up on the touchline, reacted to Strootman squirting water at him as he celebrated his goal -- which made it 2-0 to Roma -- by grabbing the Netherlands international, who fell to the ground.
Cataldi has been banned for one game for the red card he was then shown by referee Luca Banti and has confirmed that he did impede Strootman.
Strootman did not face sanctions on the field of play, with television evidence subsequently being used to punish him.
The suspension rules Strootman out of Roma's key upcoming Serie A fixtures with AC Milan and Juventus, but his club are refusing to accept the ban.
Roma general manager Mauro Baldissoni told Roma Radio: "For years now we have seen the boundaries of sporting justice stretched whenever it comes to Roma and, to be honest, this concerns us deeply, particularly because we are in a critical and significant stage of the season, because we are facing Milan and Juventus and, just look what happens: we get a completely unexpected and inconceivable suspension.
"We will do everything within our powers to defend ourselves and all that we possibly can to defend the interests of Roma. We do not feel we can accept [a suspension] before the winter break and with games against Milan and Juventus on the agenda."
Roma will hope their appeal, which is due to be heard by Friday, will see the ban overturned so that they can field Strootman in their meetings with Milan, who have the same number of points as them in second place in Serie A, and Juve, who are four points clear of both clubs at the top of the standings.