Football
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Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak handed four-game FA ban for violent conduct

Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak has been banned for four games by the Football Association for violent conduct after elbowing West Ham's Diafra Sakho.

Jedinak struck Sakho in the face as the pair jumped for a header towards the end of Palace's 3-1 win at Upton Park on Saturday but referee Mike Dean took no action.

The incident was not seen by the match officials but it was caught on video, allowing the FA to take retrospective action and charge Jedinak.

A statement on the club's official website on Tuesday confirmed that the midfielder had accepted the charge, and he will now miss Premier League fixtures against Southampton, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke and Manchester City.

The original FA statement read: "Mile Jedinak has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

"Off the ball incidents in Premier League matches which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite referees.

"Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.

"For retrospective action to be taken, the decision by the panel must be unanimous."

The punishment for violent conduct is a three-match ban, but Jedinak's red card against Sunderland in November means his suspension is lengthened to four.

Jedinak was making his first start since Dec. 28 against West Ham, having returned from the Asia Cup with an ankle injury.

Speaking before the FA ruling, Palace boss Alan Pardew said he would be "surprised" if any further action was taken against Jedinak, and warned the FA not to be swayed by television pundits when it comes to making disciplinary decisions.

"I saw the incident immediately after the game because it was highlighted to me by the press," Pardew said. "I have seen worse incidents where nothing has happened so I will be surprised if something happens with this. But the media have highlighted it and we will have to see where it goes."

Palace are currently 12th in the Premier League table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

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