Villa star gets six-game ban for barging official

Ian Watson

Aston Villa’s Leandro Bacuna will serve a six-game ban for barging an assistant referee.

The Dutchman, who plays as a midfielder and as a full-back, was dismissed by referee Andre Marriner in the 94th minute of the 1-0 victory over Derby in the Sky Bet Championship last Saturday.

He shoved assistant Mark Russell after a throw-in was awarded to the Rams.

A statement from the Football Association on Friday morning read: “Aston Villa’s Leandro Bacuna will serve a six-match suspension following his dismissal in the game against Derby County.

“He admitted a breach of FA Rule E3 in that his behaviour in or around the 94th minute of the game constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches would be clearly insufficient.

“Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, a three-match suspension was added to the sanction the player is already serving following his dismissal.”

The FA understandably takes a dim view of players squaring up to officials or making any physical contact with them.

Italian forward Paolo Di Canio was given an 11-match suspension for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground after he had been sent off playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal in September 1998.

In March 2005 Southampton’s David Prutton was banned for 10 matches after shoving another official, Alan Wiley, as he tried to remonstrate with one of his assistants.

Last week Blackburn midfielder Hope Akpan received a four-match ban for a push on referee Scott Duncan after he protested against a goal being disallowed for handball.