Three-match ban for defender Purse

LONDON: Birmingham City defender Darren Purse has received a three-match for violent conduct after being sent off for bundling over Fulham’s Luis Boa Morte during their English Premier League match last Sunday. 

“Birmingham defender Darren Purse’s appeal against his sending off against Fulham on Sunday afternoon has been unsuccessful. He will therefore serve a three-match suspension for violent conduct,” the Football Association’s website said on Friday. 

Boa Morte held on to the ball after Mikael Forssell had scored Birmingham's second equaliser in the 82nd minute of their 2-2 Premier League draw at St Andrews. Purse made a clumsy attempt to get it back and Boa Morte fell to the ground. 

“The video advisory panel have come back with their verdict that in their view this was not a case of wrongful dismissal, and accordingly the appeal fails and the red card stands,” an FA spokesman was quoted as saying on Birmingham’s website. 

Purse will miss Birmingham’s Premier League matches away to Manchester United and at home to Chelsea and Aston Villa. – Reuters