Huth handed three-match ban
Robert Huth will miss Stoke's next three matches against Spurs, Portsmouth and Wolves
Thursday, 22, Oct 2009 03:39
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Robert Huth has been handed a three-match ban by the Football Association after admitting a charge of violent conduct for striking West Ham's Matthew Upson.
The Stoke City defender caught Upson with his forearm during a tussle in the penalty area during the Potters' 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday, October 17th.
And at a regulatory hearing today, Huth was given a statutory three-game suspension, which will come into force immediately.
As a result of his ban, Huth will miss this weekend's trip to Tottenham in the Premier League, the midweek League Cup clash with Portsmouth and next weekend's home match against Wolves.
The 25-year-old was hoping to reduce his ban after issuing an apology on the Stoke website on Tuesday, which coincided with his admission of guilt in relation to the violent conduct charge.
In that statement, Stoke said: "All players were briefed at the beginning of the season about obstructing opponents at set-plays and Robert reacted in frustration at being impeded by Matthew Upson for the second time in the game, stopping him from marking James Tomkins at set-pieces as instructed.
"Robert Huth's actions are totally out of character for a fully committed defender who has only received one red card - for two cautions - in nearly eight years of playing in the Premier League."