Austin gets three-match ban for violent conduct

London, December 25: Southampton striker Charlie Austin has been banned for three games by the Football Association after being charged with violent conduct.

Austin scored his fifth goal in seven appearances as the Saints were held to a 1-1 draw by Huddersfield Town on Saturday before limping off with a hamstring injury that could sideline him for up to four weeks.

But he also courted controversy when he appeared to kick Terriers goalkeeper Jonas Lossl as the Dane came out to gather a throughball.

Austin accepted the charge but his argument that a three-game ban was excessive was rejected by an independent regulatory commission, according to a statement released by his club.

The 28-year-old will therefore miss Premier League trips to Tottenham and Manchester United over the next week, as well as the home game against Crystal Palace on January 2.

1/1 Charlie Austin will be suspended for Southampton’s next three matches after he was charged with violent conduct. He accepted the charge but argued the suspension was excessive. This was rejected by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 24, 2017

2/2 The striker was involved in an incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video during Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 24, 2017