The club yesterday said they would appeal Eto'o's three-match ban after he was punished by the Disciplinary Commission of the Italian football league for violent conduct during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Chievo.

The referee did not see the Cameroon international stick his head into the chest of Chievo centre-back Cesar in the 38th minute, before going on to score a late consolation goal for Inter.

Inter president Massimo Moratti had hoped Eto'o would escape with a minimum punishment but the Lega Calcio showed no clemency when using video replays to examine the player's actions.

Eto'o, though, said today: "My apologies are towards all those involved in the game. To the match officials who were unable to see the foul as it was out of their sight. But also to all the Inter fans and all those passionate about football.

"(Apologies also) go to my coach Rafael Benitez and my team-mates whom I leave, by my own fault, for three Serie A matches.

"Some final personal apologies go to President Moratti, who has always guaranteed all his faith in me."

Eto'o was also fined 30,000 euros by the Italian league.

Twenty-four hours before his apology, a statement from the club said: "Inter announces that it will appeal against the three-match ban handed to Samuel Eto'o.''

Eto'o, who is Serie A's joint top scorer with nine goals alongside Napoli's Edinson Cavani, will miss games against Parma, Lazio and Fiorentina.

The African star will only return to action on January 6 when the Nerazzurri host Napoli.

Eto'o's ban comes at the worst possible time for Inter, who are nine points adrift of Serie A leaders AC Milan and are without numerous players because of injury.

Inter have won just once in the past six league games and are sixth in the standings after 13 games played.