AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes has been banned for four games as a punishment for grabbing Lazio defender Stefano Mauri by the throat in a game last weekend.

The Frenchman was sent packing in the dying minutes of his side's 3-1 defeat to the Romans after a series of altercations with Mauri.

He reacted angrily when tripped by Mauri and minutes later had to be restrained by teammates having grabbed the Lazio captain around the throat.

The Frenchman was sent off but had to be dragged away from Mauri and pushed off the field.

Mexes will notably miss Milan's game against table-toppers Juventus on February 7.

It was the 16th red card that the former France international had received during his career.