The 51-year-old struck Ljajic in the dugout after the player's apparent dissent at being substituted just 32 minutes into the match.

A statement from the Lega Serie A read: "The TV images have shown a thoughtless conduct, a violent and unpredictable one, and the serioussness of it cannot be lessened by the emotional tension generated by the delicate situation of the team."

Fiorentina dimissed Rossi hours after the incident and have appointed team manager Vincenzo Guerini as their coach until the end of the season.

Rossi has not spoken since the incident.

The former Palermo boss, who replaced the sacked Sinisa Mihajlovic in November, endured a difficult spell with the Viola.

Fiorentina have won just three of their last 11 games and the point against Novara left the Tuscan side only six points clear of the relegation zone with two games left to play.

"I would have never expected such a reaction from him," Palermo president Maurizo Zamparini said. "I know it's a very difficult day for Rossi, especially when he watches the images on TV and sees what he did.

"He will be the first to understand that he made a mistake."