Football
ESPN staff 8y

Marouane Fellaini, Robert Huth given three-match suspensions

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Leicester City defender Robert Huth have both been given three-match bans by the Football Association after accepting violent conduct charges.

The duo were charged after the 1-1 draw between the two sides at Old Trafford on Sunday after an incident in the 21st minute, when Huth appeared to grab Fellaini's hair before the midfielder seemed to swing an arm at the German.

Referee Michael Oliver did not see the incident but the players will serve suspensions after video footage of the incident was reviewed by the FA.

An FA statement read: "Marouane Fellaini and Robert Huth will both serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after being charged with violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

"The Manchester United midfielder and Leicester City defender were involved in a 21st-minute incident during their fixture on Sunday 1 May 2016.

"Both players accepted the charge. However, Huth contested that the standard penalty of a three-match suspension would be 'clearly excessive.'

"This claim, however, was rejected following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Thursday]."

Fellaini will be banned for United's remaining three Premier League fixtures against Norwich, West Ham and Bournemouth but will return in time for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 21.

Huth, meanwhile, will miss champions Leicester's final two league games against Everton and Chelsea and is also set to miss next season's Community Shield.

Speaking prior to the FA announcement, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri told a news conference: "I think [Robert did] foul him, but also Fellaini has long hair...

"I think the reaction is worse than the provocation. If you see everybody who [pulls] the shirt, you have to send off all the players and only the managers would be left.''

United boss Louis van Gaal had also addressed the incident after Sunday's game, saying: "It's a penalty for us. When you grab somebody by his hair and are tying him backwards, then it is a penalty.

"[If Fellaini is banned] then I expect, first, that Huth shall be getting a lot. I don't think that is normal. What Fellaini is doing is reacting like a human being."

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