Fulham's Sascha Riether has been given a three-match ban for stamping on Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj after accepting a charge of violent conduct, the Football Association announced on Wednesday.
The incident occurred towards the end of United's 3-1 win at Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, with Riether appearing to tread on Januzaj's leg as the 18-year-old lay prone close to one of the corner flags.
It was not seen by any of the match officials, but the FA charged the German right-back under a new pilot scheme that allows a panel of three former elite-level referees to review video evidence of particular incidents.
Riether is the first player to have been charged since the initiative was introduced.
"Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today (Wednesday), Fulham's Sascha Riether has been suspended for three matches with immediate effect after he accepted an FA charge for violent conduct," read a statement published on the FA website.
"Riether was charged by The FA following an incident which occurred in added time of Fulham's game against Manchester United on Saturday 2 November 2013.
"The incident, which involved United's Adnan Januzaj, was not seen by the match officials but caught on video."
Riether apologised to Januzaj after the match, writing on Twitter: "I want to say I am sorry to Adnan Januzai (sic). It was very unlike me and I can only say that frustration got the better of me.
"I also want to apologise to my teammates, fans and everyone at the club, for the ban incurred following Saturday's match."
Source: AFP
