Chelsea 'appalled' and 'frustrated' over Matic ban

Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2015 by Talksport.co.uk

Chelsea say they are "appalled" and "frustrated" that Nemanja Matic still has to serve a ban after the Football Association reduced the midfielder's three-game violent conduct suspension to two matches.

The Blues midfielder will miss Sunday's Capital One final against Tottenham and next Wednesday's Premier League encounter at West Ham.

Matic was sent off for pushing Ashley Barnes after the Burnley striker had caught the Serbian high on his shin with a late tackle during Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge.

The FA's independent regulatory commission reduced Matic's three-game ban by one match on appeal on Tuesday evening, but Barnes escaped punishment completely.

And Chelsea were unhappy with the outcome, insisting that the 26-year-old had been "unjustly punished."

"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," read a statement posted on the Blues' website, headlined 'Chelsea FC appalled with the FA's decision on Matic'.

"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."