Serie A confirms 4-match ban for Napoli's Higuain

Rome - Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has been hit with a four-match ban following his sending-off in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Udinese, a blow for his team as it battles with Juventus for the Serie A title.

Higuain was shown his second yellow card for kicking out at defender Felipe, prompting the striker to launch a verbal tirade against the referee. The 28-year-old had to be pulled away by teammates as he tried to angrily remonstrate with Udinese players.

Higuain, the top Serie A scorer with 30 goals, will miss upcoming games against Verona, Inter Milan, Bologna and Roma, severely damaging his side's chances of a first Serie A title in 26 years.

Defeat left Napoli six points adrift of leader Juventus, as it bids to snatch a first league title since Diego Maradona played his penultimate season at the club in 1990, with seven games to play.

The disciplinary commission sanctioned "an insulting term" used against the referee as well as "a disrespectful gesture when he faced him and laid his two hands on his chest."

It also evoked "aggressive behaviour towards an opponent" and pointed out that Higuain had "to be restrained by his teammates".

Napoli, which is second with Roma four points behind, is already weakened for its next game at Verona following suspensions of defender Kalidou Koulibaly and striker Dries Mertens.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri will also be suspended for a match after he was sent to the stands for dissent during the game.