Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has received a four-match ban after appearing to push a referee following his red card against Udinese.
The Argentine, who has scored 30 Serie A goals this season, has been fined €20,000 and will miss four of the remaining seven games of Napoli’s run-in as they look to close the gap on leaders Juventus.
After reacting badly to picking up a second yellow card towards the end of Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Udinese, Higuain put his hands on referee Massimiliano Irrati and had to be restrained by his team-mates as he tried to confront Felipe, who was the recipient of the kick which earned him his marching orders.
He also shoved a member of Napoli’s staff as he stormed down the Stadio Friuli tunnel, and his ban has now been confirmed and the details given.
Higuain was handed a one-game ban for his two yellow cards – one for “protesting against the match officials” and one for “misconduct against an opponent”.
In addition, the striker “aimed an insulting expression at the referee, and made a rude gesture toward him” as well as “getting his face and putting both hands on his chest” before “taking an aggressive stance against an opponent and having to be restrained by team-mates”.
Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri was also sent to the stands during the game and has been given a one-game touchline ban for “blatantly challenging the actions of the match officials” on several occasions.
Higuain currently tops the European Golden Shoe race with 30 goals to his name in 31 games.
However, he will miss upcoming fixtures with Hellas Verona, Inter, Bologna and Roma as Napoli look to overturn a six-point deficit to leaders Juventus, whose 1-0 win over Empoli on Saturday was their 20th victory in 21 league games as they target a fifth straight Scudetto.
Higuain will return for games against Atalanta, Torino and Frosinone.
Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has also been given a one-match touchline ban for “blatantly challenging the actions of the match officials” during the game.
Having broken the 30-goal barrier against Udinese, Higuain was on track to challenge Gino Rossetti’s record for goals in a Serie A season, his incredible 36 strikes coming way back in 1928-29.
Lorenzo Insigne is Napoli’s next highest scorer in Serie A this season with 11 goals, with forwards Manolo Gabbiadini and Jose Callejon managing just two and five goals respectively this season.
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