Football news

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has been banned for two games for diving in their 3-1 derby defeat to Lazio.

Referee Daniele Orsato awarded a penalty after the 27-year-old fell in the penalty area, but he was retrospectively punished after replays showed he had not been touched by any Lazio player.

“After moving the ball laterally with his foot, (Strootman) made an unnatural twist before falling to the ground...” Serie A said in a statement on their website www.legaseriea.it.

The Dutchman will miss key games against sixth-placed Milan on Sunday and against leaders Juventus on May 14.

Coutinho hopeful of quick return

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho is hopeful of returning to action soon after sustaining a dead leg during the club’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Watford on Monday.

The 24-year-old limped off the pitch in the first 15 minutes of the match at Vicarage Road and was replaced by Adam Lallana but manager Juergen Klopp said that the Brazilian had not been badly injured.

“He has a dead leg, hopefully it’s not too serious but of course it’s really painful and no chance (he could continue). Everybody could see he tried hard, but no chance,” Klopp told...