Philippe Mexes Banned for 4 Matches After Stefano Mauri Lazio vs. Milan Spat

Hot-headed AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes has been hit with a four-match suspension after his attack on Lazio's Stefano Mauri during a Serie A fixture.

BBC Sport confirmed the sanction against the player, who had to be dragged away from his opponent. The defender was seen with his arm around Mauri's neck.

The BBC also confirmed this is not the first time Mexes has seen a referee's red card, with early showers a common occurrence in the defender's career. The incident was also captured on social media:

"

Philippe Mexes suspended 4 games for this.. http://t.co/b9i1irlJyu

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) January 27, 2015"

Many will feel Mexes deserves a longer ban in light of the amount of times he has been sent off and the violent nature of the latest altercation.

But the player has already apologised for his actions and has shown the necessary remorse, per BBC Sport: "These things should not happen out on a football pitch. I have children and this is not the sort of example that a father should set."

Warren Little/Getty Images

Mexes might have been reacting to the frustrating time he and his Milan team-mates are currently facing, with the side recording no wins in the last five games, per Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror.

Milan lost 3-1 to Lazio on the night, and Mexes clearly saw the red mist to have acted in such a way. The defender also grappled with Lorik Cana during the incident with Mauri as teammate Riccardo Montolivo tried to defuse the situation and help Mexes.

Milan had opened the scoring in the early stages of the contest when Jeremy Menez struck for the Rossoneri. But the Roman club overturned the advantage with two goals from Marco Parolo and a strike from German legend Miroslav Klose.

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Milan are still without a victory to their name in 2015, per Flanagan, and sit precariously in mid-table. They will now have to cope for an extended period without their experienced Frenchman, who has started nine matches in Serie A this season, per WhoScored.com.

Mexes was considered a more cultured centre-back in his younger days, but the player has continually been in trouble as he has aged.

Quite possibly, the years have caught up with him, and he feels he has to take a more aggressive stance in his game. This time, he has overstepped the mark.

He will be highlighted by referees and opponents in Italy from now on, and there will be no tolerance of his behaviour in the future.

Mexes has become a hindrance for Milan, and if they wish to push themselves up the league, a top central defensive signing is essential.