Fellaini given three-match ban for Shawcross headbutt

17 Dec 2012 7:20:00 PM

The Belgian midfielder has accepted a retrospective charge of violent conduct for an incident in the 1-1 draw and will now miss games against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been given a three-match ban for headbutting Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.

The Belgian clashed with the England international on many occasions during the 1-1 draw between the sides on Saturday, and the FA have confirmed that the midfielder has been charged retrospectively.

Referee Mark Halsey confirmed that he had not seen the incident in the 59th minute where Fellaini headbutted his opponent, but stated that he saw two further incidents where the midfielder appeared to elbow Shawcross in the 71st minute before pushing him in the face in the 91st minute and deemed neither to be violent conduct.


HEADBUTT UNACCEPTABLE - MOYES
7/5	Everton are 7/5 with bet365 to beat West Ham away

The player had until 6pm on Tuesday evening to respond, but both club and player have already accepted the charge, and he will now miss the away game at West Ham and the home matches versus Wigan and Chelsea, ruling him out until the fixture against Newcastle on New Year's Day.

Fellaini has already apologised for the incident, stating: "I apologise completely to Ryan Shawcross, my team-mates and to our fans at the game.

"There was a lot of pushing and pulling going on inside the Stoke penalty area and I didn't feel I was getting any protection from the officials.

"Nevertheless I know I shouldn't have done what I did.

"I have also apologised to the manager and the staff. I have no excuses, I was disappointed with the way I was being treated and I lost my temper, which was unprofessional of me."

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