Chelsea Reportedly Appeal Nemanja Matic's 3-Match Ban for Red Card vs. Burnley

Nemanja Matic's three-match ban has been reduced to two matches following a red card against Burnley

Continue for updates.

---

Matic Ban Reduced to Two Matches

Tuesday, Feb. 23

The FA confirmed that Matic's ban has been reduced to two games in a statement on Tuesday:

"

Roger Burden, Chairman of the Regulatory Commission, said: “In reaching this decision the members of the Regulatory Commission rejected the mitigation advanced by Nemanja Matic in respect of the provocation and tackle he received which led to his act of violent conduct.

"The violent response of Mr. Matic to the nature of the tackle cannot be condoned and does not vindicate his subsequent actions. The members of the Commission did, however, accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made with Mr. Barnes of Burnley FC.

"Having made those considerations we determined that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension would be clearly excessive and, therefore, ordered that the suspension be reduced to two matches.”

"

Chelsea also released a statement following the decision:

"

The Chelsea Football Club Board is extremely disappointed and frustrated that the FA Regulatory Commission has today decided not to reduce Nemanja Matic’s suspension to the maximum extent permitted under FA rules.

Chelsea FC challenged the standard three-match suspension which automatically followed the red card issued to Matic by referee Martin Atkinson during Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley.

There has been universal condemnation of the reckless challenge made by Ashley Barnes on Matic and it is the club’s view that he has been unjustly punished with a two-match ban for his reaction to a career-threatening tackle.

It is Chelsea’s opinion that referees and the football authorities must do more to protect players at all levels of the game from dangerous challenges. This decision also clearly demonstrates a need for consistency and fairness in the disciplinary process.

The club awaits The FA’s written reasons, prior to commenting further.

"

---

Chelsea Reportedly Compiling Incidents to Fight Matic Ban

Monday, Feb. 23

Matt Law of The Telegraph reported on Chelsea's potential plan to fight Matic's ban following his red card:

"

Chelsea are poised to question why Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen is free to face them in Sunday’s final of the Capital One Cup while Nemanja Matic is almost certain to miss out on a Wembley appearance.

Vertonghen also escaped punishment at the weekend for a push on West Ham midfielder Mark Noble, when the Tottenham central defender reacted to a foul on Nabil Bentaleb.

The incident is one of at least five from this season that Chelsea have considered submitting with their evidence to try to argue that Matic should not have to serve a three-game ban for his actions. The Blues have until 1pm on Tuesday to submit their evidence and an independent commission will hear the case on the same day.

(...)

Other than Vertonghen, Chelsea are ready to highlight the fact Swansea City’s Wayne Routledge had a red card rescinded after he was sent-off for retaliating against a Karl Henry foul, Jack Wilshere’s headbutt to the chest of Marouane Fellaini that was ignored and Joe Hart’s head-to-head confrontation with referee Michael Oliver that went unpunished in the Manchester Derby.

"

---

Chelsea to Appeal Matic's Ban, Barnes Goes Unpunished

Monday, Feb. 23

David Ornstein of BBC Sport reports that Chelsea are set to contest Matic's enforced three-match absence with an appeal:

However, Martyn Ziegler of the Press Association suggests the club are unlikely to be successful:

Matic was incensed by a dangerous challenge from Barnes, who did not even receive a caution for his part in the incident. The FA has now explained why no retrospective action will be taken against the Burnley man:

---

Matic Shove Earns Red Card

Saturday, Feb. 21

Barnes stood on the Serbia international's leg while the pair went in for a tackle, with the official Chelsea Twitter account confirming that Matic raised alarm and was subsequently shown red:

Matic shoved Barnes to the ground in protest at the challenge, which replays showed to be an ugly one with studs raised:

Chelsea may hope to see their player's suspension rescinded based on footage of Barnes' challenge; however, the extent of the transgression doesn't change Matic's reaction.

After the match, Mourinho seemed resigned to losing the player for the full three matches, according to Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

Should the ban stand, Matic will miss out on next Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Premier League ties against West Ham United and Southampton.