Ribéry banned for 3 games for pushing official

Ribéry was handed the ban after he approached assistant referee Matteo Passeri "threateningly" and uttered "disrespectful words" before pushing him after the final whistle on Sunday, said the Italian Football Federation's disciplinary panel.

"I'm very sorry for last night, I apologise to my teammates, the coach and fans," Ribery said on Twitter on Monday.I also apologise to Mr Passeri because at the end of the game I was very tense and angry and I hope he can understand the state I was in".

The French striker was already furious when he was taken off by coach Vincenzo Montella after 74 minutes. Television cameras showed him agitated on the bench, shouting repeatedly at Montella.