Gattuso gets four-match ban for headbutt
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AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso argues with England's Tottenham players and staff at the end of their Champions League match at the San Siro stadium in Milan last Tuesday. Jonathan Moscrop, Lapresse / Associated Press |
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso received a four-match suspension from UEFA on Monday for headbutting Spurs coach Joe Jordan in last week's Champions League last 16 first-leg clash.
He was already suspended for the second leg after being booked.
AC Milan said the player would not be making any reaction to the punishment and that it was not going to appeal.
The suspension means Gattuso will not be available for Champions League action until the final - should Milan reach it.
Gattuso cut a frustrated figure during the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at the San Siro and regularly squared up to beanpole striker Peter Crouch after challenges between the pair.
He also argued with Jordan on the touchline before pushing the former Milan player in the neck.
It was after the game that the Italian - who had a spell playing for Rangers and married a Scotswoman - ran over to confront Jordan again before headbutting the 59-year-old.
Gattuso last week apologized for his actions, though, he said he had been provoked throughout the game by Jordan.
"I lost my head and I'm taking responsibility because I did something I shouldn't have done," said the fiery midfielder, a World Cup winner in 2006.
"Jordan was breaking my balls throughout the second half but that doesn't justify my reaction.
"I was annoyed about the words I'd exchanged with Jordan. We were both speaking Scottish given that I played in his country in Glasgow but I'm not going to say what was said.
"I made a mistake doing what I did to an older person, and that's it."
