Gattuso gets four-match ban for assault

BERNE, (Reuters) – AC Milan captain Gennaro Gattuso  has been given a four-match European ban for head-butting the  assistant coach of rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last  week’s Champions League tie, UEFA said yesterday.

“The control and disciplinary body ruled that Gattuso had  assaulted the Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Joe Jordan after  the match,” said UEFA.

Gattuso would have missed the second leg of the round-of-16  tie in any case after being booked during the first leg, which  Tottenham won 1-0, and accumulating a third yellow card.

“Consequently, the four-match suspension applies to the next  four UEFA club competition matches for which he would be  eligible,” UEFA said.

The new ban means Gattuso, 33, will miss the quarter-finals  and semi-finals should Milan progress that far and could only  play again in the final.

Gattuso, who has apologised for the incident, grabbed Jordan  by the throat and pushed him on the touchline during the game,  and headbutted him after the final whistle before being pulled  away by team mates.

He has the right to appeal within three days.

Jordan, with his trademark missing teeth, won a reputation  as a hard man during his days as a striker with Leeds United,  Manchester United, Milan and Scotland.