Manchester City FC

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Vieira takes his punishment

18 Feb 2010 - 18:47:06

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Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has accepted an FA charge of violent conduct relating to his clash with Stoke City's Glenn Whelan and will serve a three-match suspension as a result.

Vieira kicked out at the Potters midfielder during the first half of the 1-1 midweek draw at the Britannia Stadium and escaped any action by referee Alan Wiley at the time.

However, a review of the incident led to Vieira facing a charge and has resulted in a three-game ban for the 33-year-old France international, who only joined the Citizens in January.

He has made four appearances for Roberto Mancini's men to date, but will now sit out Premier League clashes with Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as an FA Cup fifth round replay against Stoke City.

Earlier Potters boss Tony Pulis had praised Whelan for not making a meal of Vieira's challenge, saying: "Glenn gets kicked in the groin and he doesn't roll around as if he has been hit by a truck. He got up straight away.

"You don't see our players surrounding the referee or surrounding Vieira and causing loads of trouble. People's perception of us is wrong.

"We have a committed group of players, who give everything in every game, but we are an honest group."