Apologetic Gattuso facing extended ban following attack on Spurs coach Jordan

The combative midfielder faces a lengthy European ban after UEFA announced they had opened disciplinary proceedings following his clash with Spurs coach Joe Jordan.

Gattuso headbutted Jordan after the final whistle of the last-16 encounter, which Spurs won 1-0 thanks to Peter Crouch’s goal in the 80th minute.

The former Italy international had confronted Jordan earlier in the match, grabbing the Scot by the throat and pushing him in the face as tempers boiled over.

Gattuso’s agent Claudio Pasqualin said Jordan had used provocative language towards the midfielder prior to their clash. Spurs yesterday declined to comment on his claims.

Gattuso later apologised, saying: “I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that. I was nervous. I didn’t want to argue with players and I did it with him, but I was wrong to do what I have done.”

Gattuso picked up a yellow card during the course of a petulant performance, which also saw him clash with Crouch.

The caution – awarded for a rash challenge on Steven Pienaar after which the Italian repeatedly hit the turf in anger – ensures the 33-year-old will be suspended for the return leg at White Hart Lane on March 9.

That ban is certain to be extended when UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body meet on Monday to discuss the case, and speculation is rife as to the length of the punishment that might be handed down.

UEFA rules stipulate a minimum three-match ban for assault, although the governing body have the power to dole out lengthier suspensions in exceptional cases.

Chelsea’s Didier Drogba was banned for six UEFA competition matches – two of them deferred – after he raged at the referee before swearing into a live television camera following a Champions League match against Barcelona in 2009.

Gattuso’s actions were greeted with bemusement by many in the Spurs camp, including manager Harry Redknapp.

“When he came over at the end of the game I thought he was going to apologise to Joe,” Redknapp said. “I shook hands with him, I thought he was okay and realised he’d made a mistake. Next thing I know he’s nutted Joe. Not that it had much effect on him, all them balls he’s headed over the years.

“Joe’s the quietest man in the world, but a very hard man. You wouldn’t want to pick an argument with him. But he’s the loveliest guy you could ever wish to meet.

“I don’t know what happened with Gattuso – he lost his head over something.”

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate echoed Redknapp’s view, saying: “Whoever goes toe to toe with Joe Jordan must be brave.”

The former Leeds United centre-back finally made his comeback from a 15-month injury lay-off against AC Milan. But Spurs confirmed that Woodgate underwent a scan last night and has sustained a strain of the left adductor muscle. He will be assessed over the next few days.

Woodgate came off the bench to make a 35-minute appearance after Vedran Corluka was pole-axed by Matthieu Flamini’s horrific two-footed lunge.

Corluka is expected to have an X-ray in the next 24 hours to ascertain the extent of the damage to his ankle.

Woodgate picked up a groin problem in Tottenham’s 9-1 win over Wigan in November 2009 and it was feared the injury-plagued defender might never recover.

The 31-year-old admitted his road to recovery has been long and hard and will hope this latest injury does not hinder him for long.

Yesterday he had said: “A lot of people doubted whether I’d be able to get back but you have to show determination to not let bad times get you down and you have to just keep going.”