Offside News

Sports

Song, Gervinho banned for violent conduct

Comment: 0 August 16th, 2011 by: admin

Mere days after officially losing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri’s possible departure to Manchester City, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger watched as more of his players get sent off the field, this time due to bad behaviour.

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song was slapped with a three-game ban by the Football Association for violent conduct. The charges were slapped after video evidence of Arsenal’s Saturday match against Newcastle showed Song placing his foot on the calf of Newcastle’s Joey Barton while the latter was on the ground.

The same punishment was handed out to new signing Gervinho, who was handed a red card after slapping Barton in the midst of a scuffle during which the Newcastle midfielder accused him of diving in an attempt to win a penalty call.

According to a statement from the FA, both clubs will be charged with a £25,000 fine each for failing to control their players’ behaviour.

‘Newcastle United and Arsenal have been charged by The FA with failing to control their players following Saturday’s (13 August) fixture at St James’ Park,’ read the statement. ‘Both clubs have been charged following a mass confrontation of players following an incident in which Arsenal’s Gervinho was also shown a red card in the 75^th minute.’

While Arsenal staff will not be submitting appeals against Gervinho’s red card, they will be appealing against the three-match ban punishment, which they feel is too severe.

Wenger admitted that the charges given to Song will not be challenged.

Both players’ absence reduces Arsenal’s midfield in the wake of upcoming games against teams the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

On the subject, however Wenger stated that he believes the team can withstand the upcoming challenges despite Song and Gervinho’s absence.

‘We focus on the players we have here,’ Wenger told reporters, ‘and we believe we have enough strength here.  I have seen all the games over the weekend, I don’t think we should be suddenly afraid of anybody in England.’

Arsenal are set to face Liverpool on Saturday, and Manchester United a week on Sunday.

More