It was confirmed yesterday afternoon that Jack Wilshere will serve a two-match ban after accepting a FA misconduct charge following his offensive hand gesture made towards Manchester City fans during the 6-3 defeat last weekend.
The incident was caught on TV cameras but not picked up by any officials which means the FA were able to initiate their new scheme where incidents ‘not seen’ can be settled with a disciplinary proceeding.
Wilshere admitted to the charge but challenged the now mandatory two-game ban because he felt the length was extreme.
This was most likely down to the fact that in November 2011 Luis Suarez was only given a one-match ban for a similar incident to Fulham fans.
Wilshere’s appeal was rejected and in the FA’s defence earlier this season Blackpool winger Tom Ince also received a two-match ban for a similar incident to show punishment has changed since the Suarez affair.
FA chairman Greg Dyke spoke to talkSPORT and admitted it is easy to lose your cool for a short amount of time.
“As a supporter I sympathise with the players because of the flak they get from the crowd. People can lose their cool very quickly, but he has got to learn,” said Dyke.
“He’s very well paid to play the game and he’s got to learn to cope with it.
“You think back over many years of players who were quite hot-headed when they were younger, but not when they get older. They just learn and mature. That is what happens. It is part of life.”
Poldi is back!
Wilshere will miss Monday night’s match against Chelsea and the Boxing Day fixture at home to West Ham but German Lukas Podolski has declared himself fit.
The attacker has suffered a disappointing season with injuries but whenever fit and given an opportunity he has impressed.
He had extremely short cameo appearances against Aston Villa and Fenerbache in the Champions League qualifier but started against Fulham and scored twice.
Arsene Wenger will hope the German can provide a welcome boost to his side with Wilshere’s upcoming absence and should he impress he can provide an alternative to Oliver Giroud to give the French forward a well earned rest.
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