AC Milan's midfielder Gennaro Ivan Gattuso (right) grabs the throat of a member of Tottenham's staff (left) as Tottenham's coach Harry Redknapp (centre) tries to intervene. Picture: AFP/Olivier Morin Source: AFP
AC MILAN midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is facing a long ban even though he has apologised for headbutting Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Joe Jordan after today's UEFA Champions League match in Milan.
Gattuso, who captained the side, is likely to face a lengthy ban from UEFA after rushing over to the Spurs bench at the final whistle and headbutting Jordan — a former Milan player and Scottish international striker.
Gattuso, who has a Scottish wife, told ANSA news agency he took "full responsibility" for his actions and explained he was wound up after exchanging words with Jordan.
The BBC quoted Gattuso as saying: "I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did.
"I take my responsibilities for that.
"I was nervous. We were both speaking Scottish, something that I learned when I played in his home city of Glasgow, but I can't tell you what we said.
"I didn't want to argue with players and I did it with him, but I was wrong to do what I have done. I will have to await what they decide."
A late Peter Crouch goal gave Spurs a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie and will now be favourites to complete the job in three weeks.
Earlier in the game, Gattuso was involved in another altercation with Jordan when he grabbed his throat and pushed him.
The Italian also received a booking that rules him out of the return leg at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp tried to settle things down and said later: "Of all the people to pick on, don't pick on Joe," he said.
Gattuso also aimed words at lanky Spurs striker Peter Crouch, who scored the only goal of the match after 80 minutes.
Crouch shrugged off the incident, saying: "That's always been his game. Luckily, I didn't rise to it."
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