Drogba: Must serve three-match ban
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Drog put on leash for three games
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been given a three-match ban by the Football Association after admitting a charge of violent conduct.
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Drogba threw a coin back into the Burnley crowd after scoring in Chelsea's Carling Cup fourth-round defeat last Wednesday.
The 30-year-old admitted the charge earlier this week and apologised to the Burnley fans after the incident.
An FA statement read: "At a regulatory commission today, Chelsea forward Didier Drogba was given a three match suspension.
"Drogba admitted a charge of violent conduct. The charge related to Drogba throwing a missile into the away section of the crowd after scoring during the League Cup match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 12 November.
"Drogba will serve the suspension with immediate effect."
The ban means Drogba is out of Saturday's clash with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge and their following home game against title rivals Arsenal. His ban will be completed when Chelsea travel to Bolton on December 6.
However, Drogba will be able to play in the club's Champions League Group A game against Bordeaux next Wednesday.
The Ivory Coast striker could now be fined two weeks' wages by the club, believed to be around £180,000, after Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck confirmed Drogba knew the club were "not happy".
Buck had earlier expressed hope that the FA would show Drogba some leniency, especially after the player issued a post-match apology for his actions.
"Didier did something he should not have done," said Buck. "However, you have to look at the fans. I believe the FA will take a look and find the culprits.
"To his credit, Didier apologised publicly almost immediately after the game."
Hammersmith and Fulham Police continue to liaise with the FA and Chelsea in a bid to track down the fan who initially threw the coin at the striker.
Police are studying CCTV footage from inside Stamford Bridge as well as reviewing Sky TV's coverage of the game. They are also in contact with Lancashire Police but so far no arrests have been made.
Burnley fans were handed leaflets before Saturday's game at Queens Park Rangers asking for any witnesses to come forward.
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Your Comments
chelseaprince (Chelsea fan)
"and the one that threw the coin goes away,scot free...what a way to encourage hooliganism.next time,they will throw a bomb on the pitch,and when the player reacts,he will be suspended for life!!"
Kopitekenny (Liverpool fan)
"Server him right. . Should have known better. Just chill out son!"
BirchgroveVilla (Aston Villa fan)
"I can understand Didier's frustration - there is no excuse for throwing coins onto the pitch and it's a pretty gutless thing to do - and he probably just lost it for a second when he threw it back. But a three match ban is appropriate because who knows who he might have hurt - some innoent bystander, possibly. However, kudos to him - he knew he was in the wrong. He apologised immidiately afterwards, and now he can serve his ban with the same good grace, leaving the rest of the game - fans and players - to understand that this kind of activity is not on. Hopefully they root out the culprits in the stands... including that nonce who threw a coin at Villa Park - who knows what is happening with that investigation."
Kop_19 (Liverpool fan)
"And justice for all"
chelsea_till_i_die (Chelsea fan)
"dont be silly they wont find any body and no burnley fan would step forward. YOU COWARDS !"
jimbonjovi (Chelsea fan)
"Fair enough he shouldn't have done it. Its good to see that the FA are actually being consistent for once (carragher banned for 3 games for same thing) but i hope the police and the FA get the fan who ctually threw the coin as well"
xerxes (Arsenal fan)
"I think people forget that players are human too, and they have feelings too that get hurt. 3 matches is too harsh, although I am glad he doesn't play against us. I know Drogba will bounce back. If he play in the CL, Bordeaux, watch out !"
gengar (Manchester United fan)
"Well i hope if they do catch the fans responsible they only get a 3 match ban too..... "
F_king_goona (Arsenal fan)
" (of throwing a coin into the stands-which any dog would find quite difficult)or to his race and/or african heritage.Who knows? , this will probably either be ignored or called "personifcation" ,the world we live in eyy!
As for the charge , this is just another case of the FA being ridiculously inaccurate , the problem was instigated from the fans,which are normally the ones that start throwing items onto the pitch (generally speaking), I believe Drogba should be commended for making a stand (my opinion) someone needs to as the FA just want to let it all carry on , surely."
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