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Italy's referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has criticised Catania's Gianvito Plasmati for pulling pulled down his shorts to put off Torino's goalkeeper.

Plasmati showed his underpants to Matteo Sereni as he stood in the wall before Catania's Giuseppe Mascara curled in a free-kick during a 3-2 Serie A win for the Sicilians.

Collina, one of the most recognisable referees in world football before his retirement from taking charge of matches, said Plasmati should have been shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

Collina said: "I noted behaviour which is not addressed in the rules but which nevertheless represents a lack of respect with regard to the opponent, on the part of a player from Catania who, in the course of the match, in some dead-ball situations, lowered his shorts."

Plasmati said: "It was a student joke. It certainly wasn't a lack of respect for opponents and the public."

Catania coach Walter Zenga defender Plasmati but said he would make sure there would be no repeat of his shorts-lowering antics.

"I did not see anything from the bench but I will be sure to chat with my players in training because I want to risk any kind of official reprimand or for cards to be shown for this type of situation," said Zenga.

"I do not believe there was even the slightest wish on the part of Plasmati to offend his opponent with his behaviour."

Reuters