As expected, Tyrone Mings has been suspended by the FA for his part in the absurd minute's violence that brought shame/great entertainment on Man United/Bournemouth in the Premier League last Saturday. Referee Kevin Friend didn't actually see any of it, but it all kicked off on the stroke of half-time as the game was tied at 1-1.
Mings and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been engaged in a running battle all afternoon, before Mings brought his studs down on Zlatan's face as he lay prone on the ground. A minute later, as retribution, Ibra elbowed Mings in the face. The United player was banned for three games, and accepted the charge, despite going all Kellyanne Conway in his post-game interview, saying that Mings face collided with his elbow.
Mings' suspension has been handed down today, and it is a lengthier sentence: he's been banned for five games.
Mings denied that he deliberately stamped after the game at Old Trafford, and Bournemouth are furious with the FA's sentence.
They've released a strongly-worded statement in the last few minutes:
FC Bournemouth are extremely disappointed with the FA Regulatory Commission's decision to find Tyrone Mings guilty of the charges against him and impose a five-game suspension, following Saturday’s incident at Old Trafford involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic.We will study the detailed reasons of the commission once they become available but find it extraordinary that the charges can be described as ‘proven’ when there is absolutely no evidence to prove the incident was intentional.It is our strongly held belief – backed up by our relationship with the player, and knowledge of his background and character – that it was an accidental collision.Tyrone twice apologised to Ibrahimovic during the match for the accidental collision and also reiterated that there was no intent straight after the final whistle in a series of television interviews.We fully support our player. Tyrone has an excellent disciplinary record and has not been sent off in 75 matches as a professional. During that time he has only received 13 yellow cards – the last of which came in April 2015.The club will be making no further comment.
