Bowyer and Gerardo clashed early on

Lee Bowyer has been banned for six matches by Uefa for stamping on Malaga's Gerardo.

Europe's governing body said it found Bowyer guilty of "an act of serious assault".

The Leeds midfielder, on the brink of a move to Premiership rivals West Ham, made contact with Gerardo's head during the Uefa Cup third round defeat at Elland Road on 12 December.

Bowyer was booked for fouling Gerardo moments before the incident but the referee, his assistants and the fourth official all missed the latter offence.

Leeds manager Terry Venables said after the incident that Bowyer had admitted standing on Gerardo's head but the player himself maintained in a letter to Uefa this month that it had been an accident.

Bowyer received a three-match ban from Uefa during the 2000/01 season following a stamp on Valencia's Juan Sanchez during a Champions League semi-final.

His suspension is restricted to European matches and will remain in place should he move to another club.

Bowyer has until 2300 GMT on Saturday to appeal against the ban.