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Leeds defender Liam Cooper given six-game ban for stamp on Reading defender Reece Oxford

Liam Cooper, Leeds United
Image: Laim Cooper will miss the remainder of the regular Sky Bet Championship season

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper has been handed a six-match after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The 25-year-old served the first match of his suspension in the 2-0 loss to Brentford on Tuesday, meaning he will not be available until the last match of the regular Sky Bet Championship season at Wigan.

Cooper was charged by the FA after appearing to stamp on the head of Reading defender Reece Oxford - an incident not seen by the match officials - in the 74th minute of Leeds' 1-0 defeat at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

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"Leeds United's Liam Cooper will serve a six-match suspension with immediate effect, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing," a Leeds statement read.

"The defender was charged with violent conduct in relation to an incident in or around the 74th minute of the game against Reading on Saturday [1 April 2017] which was not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video.

"Furthermore, The FA claimed that the standard punishment which would otherwise apply for the misconduct committed would be 'clearly insufficient'.

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Highlights of Reading's 1-0 win against Leeds in the Sky Bet Championship

"The player accepted the charge but denied the claim, however, that matter was found proven and his total suspension of six matches includes the standard one additional match for it being his second dismissal of this season."

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Cooper will miss the upcoming matches with Preston, Newcastle, Wolves, Burton and Norwich as Leeds aim to secure a play-off spot.

Garry Monk's side currently sit in fifth spot in the Championship with a five-point cushion between themselves and Fulham in seventh.

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