Napoli appeal Higuain’s four-game suspension

Napoli have appealed against the “unjust and excessive” four-match ban imposed on 30-goal striker Gonzalo Higuain after his bad-tempered dismissal at Udinese.

The Argentinian was on Tuesday suspended for four games and fined 20,000 euros by Serie A as a
result of his behaviour following a red card in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the Stadio Friuli.

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 tunnel and the league has now sanctioned the former Real Madrid player for his actions.

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But Napoli have not accepted the punishment and have asked for it to be reviewed, announcing in a statement on their official website that the disqualification was “unjust and excessive”.

The Azzurri have also asked for boss Maurizio Sarri’s one-match touchline ban to be overturned.

The loss to Udinese left Napoli six points behind leaders Juventus with only seven games remaining – and Higuain will miss four of those fixtures, against Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Bologna and Roma.

The 28-year-old had not been sent off in a match since February 2013, during his Real days.

Udinese won the encounter thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes and a further goal from Cyril Thereau, with Higuain notching his 30th league goal of the season midway through the first half.

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