Gattuso facing lengthy ban

Milan's 1-0 home defeat to Spurs in the first leg of their last 16 tie, which began with a whimper as Massimiliano Allegri fielded a defensive team, ended with an explosion of frustration from the midfield enforcer as he grabbed Jordan by the throat and tried to headbutt him following a fiery exchange of words.

UEFA will meet on Monday to decide Gattuso's punishment. The former Rangers star has admitted that he is at fault and has said that he is prepared to accept any punishment for the attack, which took place after the final whistle.

"I was nervous. We were both speaking Scottish, something that I learned when I played in his home city of Glasgow, but I can't tell you what we said," said Gattuso, who is married to a Scottish woman.

"I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that.

"I didn't want to argue with players and I did it with him, but I was wrong to do what I have done. I will have to await what they decide."

Two years ago Didier Drogba was banned for three European matches with a suspended ban for a fourth match after he hounded a referee following a Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

But with Gattuso having physically attacked Jordan his ban is expected to be longer. Given that he is already suspended for the return clash at White Hart Lane thanks to a yellow card on Tuesday night, the Milan skipper is unlikely to play any further part in this season's Champions League since even a four-match European ban would rule him out until the final.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp branded Gattuso "crazy" following the fiery midfielder's bust-up with his number two.

"I don't know why it all got so silly," Redknapp said. "Gattuso had a flare-up with Joe Jordan. I don't know why. He obviously hasn't done his homework. He could have picked a fight with someone other than Joe.

"He put his head into Joe's face for some reason. It was crazy. He lost his head during the game."

The match was also marred by a "horrendous" tackle by Rossoneri midfielder Mathieu Flamini that left Vedran Corluka on crutches.

Flamini launched a two-footed lunge in the second half of the bad-tempered encounter to end the Croatian defender's participation on the night.

The former Arsenal man escaped with just a booking, but Redknapp did not see it the same way as French referee Stephane Lannoy.

"The tackle from Flamini was a horrendous tackle," Redknapp said. "It was a sending off. He was two or three feet off the floor with two feet. It was a leg-breaking tackle.

"He will have an x-ray tomorrow - I don't think he has broken it but he could have done easily."

The game was settled by Peter Crouch's 80th-minute winner and Redknapp was keen not to allow the double controversy overshadow what was an assured performance from his team, and one which puts them on the brink of the quarter-finals in just their first Champions League campaign.

"It was a great night, a fantastic performance," said Redknapp. "We set out how we wanted to play and the players responded and couldn't have done any more.

"They did exactly what we asked of them tonight. We got a great result, exactly what we deserved."

He added: "We've done half the job. We know they're dangerous. We have the advantage but it's half-time.

"It's still all to play for. It'll be an interesting second leg."