Samuel Eto'o handed three-game ban for headbutting
Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o has been banned for three Serie A matches for headbutting Chievo's Bostjan Cesar. The pair clashed in the 38th minute of Inter's 2-1 defeat by Chievo on Sunday when defender Cesar threw a weak punch that hit 29-year-old Eto'o in the face. Eto'o, who has scored 17 goals this season, jogged away before turning around and headbutting Cesar's chest. The referee took no action, but the Italian Football Federation issued the ban after studying video evidence. The Italian league has used video evidence before, banning Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino for two games after he scored a goal with his hand. A statement from Serie A said that Eto'o's headbutt, which was not seen by match officials, was "premeditated" and constituted "violent conduct". The Cameroon international, who was fined 30,000 euros (£25,600), is available for Wednesday's European Champions League home game against Dutch side FC Twente on Wednesday. But his league ban is a huge blow for Inter coach Rafael Benitez who has had to cope with injuries to key players including Diego Milito. The reigning Italian champions have also suffered a loss of form and currently lie in sixth place in Serie A, nine points behind their cross-city rivals, AC Milan. And former Liverpool manager Benitez is also facing speculation in the Italian media that he could be sacked if Inter, who are the European champions, lose on Wednesday. | |
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