Mousa Dembele Given 6-Match FA Ban: Latest Details and Reaction

Mousa Dembele has been handed a six-match ban by the Football Association for gouging Diego Costa's eye in Tottenham Hotspur's explosive showdown with Chelsea on Monday.

The FA announced the midfielder's ban in a statement on Friday:

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Mousa Dembélé will serve a six-match suspension with immediate effect after he committed an act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder accepted the charge but denied The FA’s claim that the standard punishment of three matches which would otherwise apply to this offence was clearly insufficient.

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The Belgian will not feature again this season and will also miss the first four matches of next year.

Dembele and Costa clashed in a mass brawl at the end of the first half—one of a number of controversial incidents in the tempestuous encounter as Spurs' title challenge crumbled at Stamford Bridge.

The Sport Bible shared an image of the gouge:

On Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, pundit Jamie Carragher believed Dembele should have been punished at the time by the linesman:

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a real renaissance under Mauricio Pochettino this season and developed into one of Spurs' most crucial players thanks to his all-round midfield play.

His ability to win back the ball and then turn defence into attack makes him key to their efforts, but when he's not on the pitch, Tottenham are both more vulnerable at the back and less effective going forward.

Though Spurs can no longer win the title after Monday's collapse, they'll still be eager to ensure they finish above bitter rivals Arsenal—the Gunners are three points behind with two matches remaining—and Dembele's absence will likely be a hindrance against in-form Southampton and a Newcastle United side fighting for their lives.

Further, with his suspension ensuring he'll miss the start of next season, Tottenham will have to cope without him as they seek to challenge for the title again.