Gattuso gets four-match ban for 'assault' on Joe Jordan

The Rossonero vice captain twice clashed with Jordan, both during the sides' Champions League last-16 first leg at the San Siro on Tuesday - which Tottenham won 1-0 - and after it, when he headbutted the 59-year-old.

A statement from UEFA today read: "The control and disciplinary body ruled that Gattuso had assaulted the Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Joe Jordan after the match.

"Gattuso, who was also cautioned in the 76th minute of the game, is already suspended for the return leg of the UEFA Champions League tie against Tottenham after receiving three yellow cards.

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

The ban means Gattuso, who has three days to appeal, would not be available until the final should Milan continue to progress.

Gattuso, 33, was charged by UEFA with gross sporting misconduct following the incident which attracted widespread criticism from throughout the game.

UEFA rules stipulate a minimum three-match ban for assault, with lengthier sentences dished out in exceptional circumstances.

Gattuso later apologised, but his agent, Claudio Pasqualin, stated that Jordan, a former Milan player, had used provocative language towards the midfielder prior to their clash, calling him an "Italian b******".

Spurs declined to comment on these claims, while Jordan responded by saying: "To come up with something like that is pathetic.

"It is completely and utterly untrue and something so wildly inaccurate doesn't do him much credit.

"He clearly doesn't realise I consider playing for Milan the proudest time of my career, that my daughter lives and works in Italy and that I love the country and the people."

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp today said he hoped the incident would not do too much harm to Gattuso.
Speaking before the punishment was announced, he said: "I dont know what happened.

"I've met him before and he was a great lad, I thought what a fantastic boy he was, but he just lost his head on the day.

"He has been a great player for Milan. He went to play at Rangers and I'm sure that if you went to Walter Smith he would say that he is a fantastic boy.

"I don't know what happened to him that day; he apologised after, he was out of order and made a mistake but it's forgotten now as far as we're concerned.

"He's had a great career if you look at the Champions League games he has played in.

"It was a one bad day. Hopefully it will be forgotten. He'll get his punishment and that's the end of it."