Gattuso charged by Uefa

[joekingman]

17th February 2011

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is set for a Uefa disciplinary hearing on a charge of 'gross unsporting conduct' following his clash with Tottenham assistant manager Joe Jordan.

Gattuso: Clashes with Jordan

The 33-year-old combative battler was at the centre of controversy on Tuesday night following the Rossoneri's 1-0 defeat to Spurs at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League.

A frustrating night for the former Italy international turned sour at the final whistle when he confronted Jordan, head-butting the Tottenham coach having earlier grabbed him by the throat.

Uefa's control and disciplinary body will discuss the matter on Monday and Gattuso could be set for a lengthy European ban following his reaction.

He is already suspended for the return leg at White Hart Lane on 9th March after picking up a booking during the game, and the ex-Rangers man proceeded to smack the ground in anger following the yellow card.

Gattuso confronted former Scotland and Milan midfielder Jordan on the touchline during the encounter before the ugly scenes after the final whistle.

Uefa's disciplinary code calls for a ban of at least one European match for 'unsporting conduct', but at least three for 'assaulting players or others present at the match.'

 

[joekingman]

Five reasons why Gattuso may have picked on the wrong man

Jordan was a fearsome sight as a player

C Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has expressed his regret for his attack on Tottenham first-team coach Joe Jordan after the UEFA Champions League clash at the San Siro.

Part of that may be his realisation that in Jordan, he picked the wrong target. Here we look at five reasons why the midfielder may have picked on the wrong guy!

JAWS

Early in his career at Leeds, the Scot lost four front teeth playing in a reserve match. The result was a frightening smile that quickly helped him earn the nickname 'Jaws', a moniker that fitted his fearsome playing style.

Looking back on his career recently, Jordan said of the name: "I didn't see myself as a caricature in any way. I was what I was, but I look back and I had seven years at Leeds, who were one of the top teams in Europe, then I got a transfer to Manchester United, then a transfer to AC Milan. These are top clubs, and I had opportunities to go to Liverpool, Arsenal, Ajax.

"I'm not saying that to brag; if those teams thought I had something to offer, it was more than having no teeth. I was just unfortunate not to have any teeth."

CLASH

Jordan did not stand for nonsense on the pitch, highlighted by an incident in a Manchester United FA cup third round replay at Old Trafford against Tottenham in 1980, when he wiped out goalkeeper Milja Aleksic, who had been charging at him on corners. Aleksic, who played only a small number of games for Spurs, suffered a dislocated jaw in the incident.

THE SHARK

If Jordan's reputation at home had escaped Gattuso, he should have known more of the history of the club he captains. "He obviously hadn't done his homework," Harry Redknapp said. Had he done so, Gattuso would have known that Jordan, who joined Milan in 1981, was known in Italy as "The Shark", a local twist on the Jaws theme.

HARD MAN

In 2007, The Times named Jordan as the 34th hardest man in the history of the game. For the record, Milan's attack dog Gattuso, who has the nickname Ringhio ("growl'), did not register in the top 50, suggesting his bark is louder than his bite - even when he was in his prime.

STILL A HARD MAN

Jordan is not living off fading memories either. Since joining Tottenham in 2008, he has been involved in numerous touchline dust-ups.

In his first two weeks at the club he clashed with then Fulham manager Roy Hodgson and former Blackburn boss Paul Ince. Earlier this season, he challenged Newcastle goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman following Younes Kaboul's dismissal, screaming "Any time you like, any f****** time you like".