Nemanja Matic's ban reduced to two games but Chelsea still furious

Nemanja Matic’s three-match ban for violent conduct has been reduced to two games, but his club Chelsea are furious.

The midfielder was dismissed for violent conduct during the game against Burnley on 21 February following his push on Ashley Barnes. 

That incident was preceded by a robust challenge from Barnes on Matic, which Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho argued could have ended his player's career.

Barnes was subsequently cleared by the FA, and Chelsea appealed against the ban.

The three-match suspension has been cut by one game but Matic will still miss the Carling Cup final with Tottenham and Chelsea are adamant the punishment is wrong.

Chelsea said: “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."

“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."

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

...SkySports