Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o has apologized for headbutting Chievo Verona's Bostjan Cesar during last weekend's Serie A game.
The pair clashed in the 38th minute, when Cesar threw a punch and Eto'o responded by headbutting his opponent in the chest in similar fashion to Zinedine Zidane at the 2006 World Cup final.
''I want to sincerely apologize to all who were offended,'' Eto'o said in a statement Wednesday. ''I want to apologize to everyone at the match and the officials, who were unable to see the foul.''
On Tuesday Eto'o received a three-match ban from the Italian football league.
''My apologies also go to my coach (Rafael Benitez) and my teammates, who will be without me for three league matches,'' Eto'o said.
Eto'o also received a ?30,000 ($40,000) fine, but is available for Inter's Champions League match with FC Twente on Wednesday.
However, his absence in the league is another blow to Benitez, who is without last season's leading scorer Diego Milito, as well as goalkeeper Julio Cesar and fullback Maicon through injury.
Inter is sixth in the Serie A, nine points behind leader AC Milan.
