Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle defender Williamson hit with three-match ban for head-butting Bolton's Elmander
Newcastle defender Mike Williamson has been found guilty by the FA for violent conduct over his challenge on Bolton striker Johan Elmander and will serve a three-match ban.[LNB]The FA disciplinary chiefs took action after reviewing footage of the incident, in which Williamson head-butted Elmander during the Magpies' 5-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. [LNB] Heading for trouble: Toon defender Williamson (right) clashes with Elmander [LNB]The former Portsmouth player was convicted of the offence by a regulatory commission on Wednesday after denying the charge.[LNB]In the dock: Williamson has been banned by FA[LNB] Referee Howard Webb, who later sent off Fabricio Coloccini for elbowing Elmander, did not see the incident at the time but concluded it should have been a red card after reviewing video evidence.[LNB]A statement released by the FA read: 'At an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson was given a three-match suspension for violent conduct.'[LNB] Newcastle boss Chris Hughton had defended his player before the charge, telling the Evening Chronicle: 'It was a silly action by Mike, but I think it was the frustration of some five minutes before that when Johan Elmander pulled him down.[LNB]'It's there for everybody to see, he shouldn't have got involved. But what it was was a body-check and no more than that. It was a reaction to Elmander pulling him - it was a yellow card.'[LNB]The Magpies will now go into Sunday's clash with champions Chelsea with three key men suspended.[LNB]As well as Fabricio Coloccini starting a three-match ban, midfielder Joey Barton remains suspended for punching Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen a week earlier.[LNB]Hughton has veteran Sol Campbell and the fit-again Steven Taylor waiting in the wings, but the former Arsenal man has had little football in recent weeks while Taylor is yet to appear this season.[LNB]Campbell's only start for his new club came in the 4-3 Carling Cup third-round victory at Chelsea on September 22.[LNB]Newcastle will at least welcome back Cheik Tiote, who was suspended for the Bolton game after picking up his fifth booking, for the visit of the champions as they attempt to bounce back from a run of three games which has yielded just a single point.[LNB] Mike Williamson denies violent conduct charge after nasty clash with Bolton's Johan Elmander Mike Williamson charged with violent conduct after Newcastle defender's clash with Bolton's Johan Elmander [LNB] Explore more:People: Chris Hughton, Johan Elmander, Joey Barton, Sol Campbell, Steven Taylor Places: Newcastle
