Football
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Villa's Leandro Bacuna gets six-match ban for barging assistant referee

Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna will serve a six-match suspension following his sending-off against Derby for barging an assistant referee, the Football Association has announced.

Bacuna, 25, was dismissed by referee Andre Marriner in the 94th minute of the 1-0 victory over Derby in the Championship last Saturday for shoving assistant Mark Russell after a throw-in decision went against him.

A statement from the Football Association on Friday morning read: "Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna will serve a six-match suspension following his dismissal in the game against Derby County.

"He admitted a breach of FA Rule E3 in that his behaviour in or around the 94th minute of the game constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches would be clearly insufficient.

"Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, a three-match suspension was added to the sanction the player is already serving following his dismissal."

Speaking ahead of Villa's trip to Rotherham on Saturday, manager Steve Bruce said the club may appeal the ban.

The FA takes a dim view of players squaring up to officials or making any physical contact with them.

Paolo Di Canio was given an 11-match suspension for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground after he had been sent off playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal in September 1998.

In March 2005 Southampton's David Prutton was banned for 10 matches after shoving another official, Alan Wiley, as he tried to remonstrate with one of his assistants.

Last week Blackburn midfielder Hope Akpan received a four-match ban for a push on referee Scott Duncan after he protested against a goal being disallowed for handball.

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