Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o was banned yesterday for three Serie A matches for a headbutt during Chievo's 2-1 win on Sunday after being tried and convicted by league chiefs on television evidence.

It was the last news Inter needed as it lies nine points off the Serie A pace of arch rival AC Milan after 13 games and has a lengthy injury list.

Serie A said in a statement that Eto'o's headbutt to the chest of defender Cesar, which was not seen by the officials but picked up on television replays, was "premeditated" and constituted "violent conduct".

Inter's Cameroonian top scorer was also fined 30,000 euros (US$41,180).

The incident was similar to the infamous headbutt France's Zinedine Zidane committed on Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.