Samuel Eto'o's head-butt has cost him and Inter a three-match ban.
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o has been banned for three Serie A games for his head-butt on Chievo's Bostijan Cesar on Sunday. The incident took place off the ball and went unnoticed by the referee, but the camera honed in on Eto'o's violent conduct. Eto'o's head-butt drew comparisons with the one Zinedine Zidane delivered on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup Final.
It has to be said, however, that Eto'o was reacting to Cesar's punch, a provocation that came moments before the Cameroonian's reaction.
Eto'o has also been fined 30,000 euros.
The news is particularly devastating for Inter in light of their injury crisis. Eto'o is Inter's and Serie A's highest scorer this season with 9 goals to his name.
Eto'o's absence will also make coach Rafael Benitez's job even more difficult. The beleaguered Spaniard is already under pressure after Inter slipped to another defeat against Chievo on Sunday, leaving them nine points behind league leaders Milan. Eto'o will now miss Inter's games against Parma, Lazio, and Cesena. Inter have confirmed on their official website that they will launch an appeal against the verdict.
It has to be said, however, that Eto'o was reacting to Cesar's punch, a provocation that came moments before the Cameroonian's reaction.
Eto'o has also been fined 30,000 euros.
The news is particularly devastating for Inter in light of their injury crisis. Eto'o is Inter's and Serie A's highest scorer this season with 9 goals to his name.
Eto'o's absence will also make coach Rafael Benitez's job even more difficult. The beleaguered Spaniard is already under pressure after Inter slipped to another defeat against Chievo on Sunday, leaving them nine points behind league leaders Milan. Eto'o will now miss Inter's games against Parma, Lazio, and Cesena. Inter have confirmed on their official website that they will launch an appeal against the verdict.
