Jordan hits back over Gattuso claims

Tottenham Hotspur coach Joe Jordan has rejected claims that he insulted AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso’s nationality.

Gattuso is facing a UEFA disciplinary charge of gross unsporting conduct after head-butting Jordan in the aftermath of Tottenham’s 1-0 Champions League win over Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Gattuso’s agent has claimed Jordan provoked the 33-year-old from the touchline with racial insults during the match.

But former Manchester United player and Scotland international Jordan refutes the allegations.

“It’s just a nonsense, it really is,” Jordan told the Daily Mail.

“It’s a figment of his imagination and, I have to say, not a great imagination, at that.”

“If he wanted to try and explain his behaviour, you would have thought he might have come up with something better than that.”

“It’s pathetic. Completely and utterly untrue and quite pathetic.”

Jordan spent three successful seasons playing in Italy with both Milan and Hellas Verona.

The 59-year-old insists his positive experiences of the country make him an unlikely candidate to insult Gattuso’s nationality.

“He will have to address his conduct overall, and account for himself to UEFA, but the allegation he has made is something else,” Jordan said.

“I’m not having that, because Italy has played an important part in my life and will continue to.”

“Milan are an exceptional club and I consider myself very fortunate to have played for them. I had plenty of high points in my career, but signing for them was the best thing I did.”

“They gave me a chapter in my career I always hankered after, a spell playing abroad, and I could not have picked a better club.”

“I love Italy and have always had an affinity with the people.”

“Does that sound like someone who would come out with the sort of line Gattuso has got his agent to say? I just find it pathetic on his part, I really do.”