Fellaini ‘faces nine-match ban’

Footage from the Premier League encounter at the Britannia Stadium is set to be examined closely by the FA, with the focus on several moments where Fellaini came together with Potters skipper Shawcross in the hosts’ box.In one incident missed by referee Mark Halsey, Shawcross was floored by an apparent headbutt from Fellaini, who will now likely face retrospective action.The Daily Mirror claimed that Fellaini will be heavily sanctioned by the governing body.Under the sub-heading “Three ‘incidents’ at three games each... you do the math for the big-haired Belgian”, it writes: “The worst of them was a blatant headbutt towards the Potters defender - yet each incident went unpunished by referee Mark Halsey. Fellaini, who ended the game without even a booking, is almost certain to be hit with a three-match ban for the headbutt alone - ruling him out of the games with West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea.“Replays also appeared to show Fellaini elbow Shawcross in a second clash and then hit the defender with an open-hand smash in the third confrontation.“Fellaini could be hit with an extended ban if the referee admits to missing the other incidents when he is shown the evidence via a video link today.”However the Daily Mail reported that Fellaini will get away with a three-match suspension.“The FA will concentrate on the headbutt, basing their punishment on what would have happened if Halsey had spotted the incident and shown a red card rather than the severity of the offence,” writes the paper.“The FA will be free to act when Halsey’s report arrives today and they are almost certain to charge Fellaini retrospectively with violent conduct and ban him for three games. They seem certain to ignore the later clashes, at least one of which could also have resulted in a red card.”

Sports

Fellaini ‘faces nine-match ban’