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Report: Higuain to be banned 4 matches for Udinese tirade

Stefano Rellandini / REUTERS

Napoli may have lost more than just three points in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Udinese.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain, who leads Serie A with 30 goals on the campaign, is reportedly facing a four-match ban for his behaviour after he was shown a red card at the Stadio Friuli; the Argentine lost his cool, making contact with referee Massimiliano Irrati before teammates finally dragged him away.

Related - VIDEO: Napoli's Higuain goes ballistic after being sent off vs. Udinese

Visibly upset and refusing to leave the pitch, Higuain clashed with members of the coaching staff on the sideline before they were finally able to usher him into the tunnel towards the dressing room.

The 28-year-old could be absent for the club's next four contests. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that his suspension breaks down as follows: the standard one-match ban for being sent off, two matches for insulting remarks towards Irrati, and another for his apparent push on the official.

An official announcement will be made Tuesday, as the disciplinary report cannot be released until every match in this round of fixtures is completed, and Bologna hosts Verona this evening.

If the suspension is confirmed for a quartet of games, Higuain will miss dates with Verona, Inter, Bologna, and Roma. The timing of any ban could not be less ideal - regardless of the length - as Napoli trails league leader Juventus by six points with only seven matches remaining on the season.

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