Four game ban for Mexes

Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi will have to make without the services of Philippe Mexes in the upcoming weeks after the Frenchman was handed a four-game ban for his red card in the 3-1 Serie A loss against Lazio.

The centre-back was shown a straight red card by referee Paolo Mazzoleni after grabbing Stefano Mauri by his throat in the closing stages of the game, only to then completely lose his temper and proceed to scrap with both Mauri and Lorik Cana.

Mexes apologised for his behaviour on Monday, but has nonetheless been slapped with a heavy suspension for his actions.

The 32-year-old will consequently miss the Serie A games against Parma, Juventus, Empoli and Cesena.

Mexes has made nine appearances for Milan in Serie A this term, collecting four yellow cards and one red card in the process.

In their official announcement, the Lega Serie A notes that Mexes continued to display violent conduct after being sent off, and as such has been given a four game ban, rather than the customary three.

Panagiotis Kone of Udinese was given a three match ban, one game for his red card in last night’s win over Empoli, and two more for improper conduct, as he placed both hands onto the chest of the match referee.

Francesco Acerbi of Sassuolo will serve a one match suspension after his sending off at the weekend, while Luca Antonelli of Genoa will be banned for one match and fined €1,500 after a fourth yellow card of the season.

The fine was levied on the defender for protesting to the match officials, for which, as club captain, he had already received a warning.

Daniele Baselli of Atalanta, Genoa’s Andrea Bertolacci, Lazio’s Lucas Biglia and Stefan Radu, Danilo D’Ambrosio of Inter, Chievo’s Dario Dainelli, Cagliari’s Luca Rossettini and Albin Ekdal, Antonio Floro Flores of Sassuolo, Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio and Fiorentina’s David Pizzaro will all face a one match ban after picking up a fourth yellow card.