Juve's Conte gets banned for referee protests

MILAN (AP) -Juventus coach Antonio Conte has been banned for two Serie A matches for excessive protests.

Conte lost his cool in the final moments of a 1-1 draw with Genoa on Saturday, arguing for a perceived penalty in added time.

The Italian league also imposed a ban Monday on Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta until Feb. 18 for saying that the referee is from Naples and can't officiate Juventus matches.

After Napoli's 2-1 win at Parma on Sunday, the southern club is just three points behind Juventus at the top of the table.

Conte has already served a four-month ban earlier this season, for failing to report match-fixing when he coached Siena two seasons ago.