Siena striker Massimo Maccarone has been handed a three-match ban for abusing a referee during his side's 1-0 defeat to Atalanta on the opening day of the Serie A season.

The 28-year-old was sent off after Carmine Russo gave him a second yellow card for dissent.

"In the 85th minute, in the act that led to the sending off, Maccarone spoke to the game official using foul and abusive language," read a statement from the Italian Football League.

Maccarone will miss the league games against Cagliari, Lecce and Sampdoria.