AC Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso Apologizes for Headbutt to Tottenham Assistant Coach in European Cup Match

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has apologized for headbutting Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan — a former Milan player.

The headbutt came at the end of their Euopean Cup match on Tuesday, which Tottenham won 1-0.

"I take full responsibility," Gattuso said to Italian news agency ANSA. "I was wound up after exchanging words with Jordan. 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.

"He was winding me up throughout the game, but I was wrong to do what I did to someone older than me. I will have to await what they decide."

The Union of European Football Associations opened a disciplinary investigation against Gattuso on Wednesday and the disciplinary panel will hear the case against Gattuso and Milan next Monday.

A lengthy ban is expected. Gattuso will already miss the match on March 9 in London for being booked for a foul, and UEFA disciplinary rules require at least a three-match ban from European competitions "for assaulting players or others present at the match."