Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu has been handed a four-match ban after throwing a punch in yesterday's 3-0 win at Bari, the Italian league confirmed today.

The first-half incident involving Bari striker Marco Rossi was missed by the referee but a league statement said the decision had been reached using television evidence.

A statement read: "The sporting judge has decided to hand Chivu a four-match ban having examined the television imagines relating to the incident. The gesture of the player is considered violent conduct."

Chivu, who apologised for his actions after the match, will miss the games against Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina and Cagliari but will return to action at Sampdoria on 27 February.