Harry Redknapp blames AC Milan skipper Gennaro Gattuso of using racism card to justify head butt

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has blasted claims that his deputy Joe Jordan made a racist attack on AC Milan skipper Gennaro Gattuso, sparking a bitter touchline bust-up in the San Siro.

Gattuso lost control after Peter Crouch's goal resulted in his side's defeat on Tuesday and he head-butted Jordan.

The player's agent, Claudio Pasqualin, claimed: "My client was strongly provoked by Joe Jordan. Jordan, after continuously heckling him, insulted him with a truly low phrase, saying f*****g Italian b*****d."

"Rino has a strong sense of his Italian identity. This is the most disgusting and unjustifiable of insults," The Sun quoted Pasqualin, as saying.

Redknapp said: "This is a case of someone playing the race card, trying to deflect from what happened. Joe is not, and never has been, a racist."

"There is no chance of Joe saying that. He has the utmost respect for Italy and their people. Italians are among his close friends; he speaks the language and is a great admirer of their way of life.

"Joe never said anything. Why anyone would come out with this, after Gattuso has apologised and called his own behaviour inexcusable, is beyond me," Redknapp said.

Gattuso is facing a six-match ban.