Football
ESPN staff 7y

Man City's Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho face lengthy bans for Chelsea clashes

Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are facing lengthy suspensions after they were both sent off in Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

City striker Aguero lunged into a tackle on Chelsea defender David Luiz in the closing moments of the match at the Etihad Stadium, and the incident sparked a mass melee between the two sets of players.

On the fringes on the fracas, Fernandinho was twice seen to grab Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas by the throat before shoving him over the advertising hoarding.

Once the two sets of players had settled down, referee Anthony Taylor showed both Aguero and Fernandinho red cards.

Aguero, 28, is now on course for a four-match ban by the Football Association, as he has previously served a three-game suspension this season for elbowing West Ham United defender Winston Reid.

That would see the Argentina international miss Premier League matches against Leicester City, Watford, Arsenal and Hull City. He would return in time for the trip to face Liverpool at Anfield on Dec. 31.

Fernandinho, 31, received his second red card of the season after he was also sent off in last month's Champions League draw at Borussia Monchengladbach -- although that would not have a bearing on any domestic disciplinary action.

However, a source close to the FA has told ESPN FC that the Brazil midfielder will not be treated as a special case, and he is set for a three-match ban.

In the first half, City had appealed to Taylor for a foul on Aguero when the forward collided with Chelsea defender David Luiz, but the referee let play continue.

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