West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas will begin a three-match suspension after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct.
Defender to begin three-match ban
West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas will begin a three-match suspension after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct.
The 27-year-old appeared to catch Norwich City striker James Vaughan with his elbow during their 1-0 victory at Carrow Road on Sunday.
No action was taken by referee Mark Halsey at the time, but the FA decided to charge Tamas after reviewing video evidence.
Tamas had until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the decision but instead accepted the charge, meaning his three-match ban will begin with the Baggies' trip to Swansea on Saturday.
Clumsy
West Brom's legal director Richard Garlick revealed that after reviewing
replays, referee Halsey would have sent Tamas off had he seen the incident
at the time.
Garlick told the club's
official website: "We have spoken at length with Gabriel and he is adamant that he did not intentionally elbow James in the face.
"However, he admits the way he turned in the penalty area was clumsy and he
has apologised to James through a mutual friend for the injury he has suffered.
"Although we accept Gabriel's version of the incident, both the player and the
club have decided against appealing the decision as it would be very difficult
to overturn.
"The referee, Mark Halsey, has looked at TV replays in the cold light of day
and decided that, had he seen the incident in real time, he would have sent
Gabriel off."
