Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain is dismissed by referee Massimiliano Irrati on Sunday.

Napoli’s ailing Serie A title challenge suffered a major blow yesterday as 30-goal striker Gonzalo Higuain was banned for four games and fined €20,000.

The Argentinian, whose side are targeting a first Scudetto since 1990, saw red both literally and figuratively after picking up a second yellow card towards the end of Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Udinese.

Higuain put his hands on referee Massimiliano Irrati and had to be restrained by his team-mates as he tried to confront Felipe, who was the recipient of the kick which earned him his marching orders.

He also shoved a member of Napoli’s staff as he stormed down the Stadio Friuli tunnel and the league has now sanctioned the ex-Real Madrid player for his actions.

A statement on the Lega Serie A website confirmed Higuain received a one-game ban for his second yellow card plus three further matches for “facing the referee (with an) insulting expression and making a disrespectful gesture against him - putting both hands on his chest” and “having an aggressive attitude against an opponent and being held back by his team-mates.”

The loss to Udinese left Napoli six points behind leaders Juventus with only seven games remaining – and Higuain will miss four of those fixtures, against Verona, Inter, Bologna and Roma.

The 28-year-old had not been sent off in a match since February 2013, during his Real days.

Azzurri boss Maurizio Sarri, who had already been sent to the stands by Irrati, saw fit to defend the Italian top flight’s leading scorer following full-time in Udine.

“Higuain told me he did nothing wrong to earn that second yellow. He is really upset because he is so committed to this team,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“In my opinion the game was not managed in an exemplary fashion.”