Mexes and Chiellini clashed early in the second half of Juventus' 3-2 win over Milan on Sunday. The incident was missed by the referee but video footage appeared to show Mexes transgressing and, having been sent off in the latter stages of the game, he could be set for an extended ban.

The Frenchman picked up two yellow cards after the incident involving Chiellini, his second challenge gifting Juventus a free-kick from which Chiellini prodded home.

Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco were also on the scoresheet for Antonio Conte's side, who kept up the pace with Napoli and Roma at the top of the table, with Milan's Sulley Muntari scoring the game's first and last goals.

After the match, Chiellini blasted Mexes' behaviour, telling Sky Italia : "Some people are repeat offenders. Toughness and determination in football should be praised, because you have a hard tackle and shake hands, but this is not football.

"This sort of thing needs to be punished heavily, because it is not fair play and it is not football. I’ve had some tough tackles in my time, but I don't recall ever doing that."

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri defended Mexes, adding: "It wasn't a punch; it was a tussle in the box and he hit him on the back.

"If you want to call it a punch, then call it that, but there are a thousand different fouls like that in the box. He didn't even catch his face. It was absolutely not a punch."