Marouane Fellaini: Everton Star Rightfully Banned

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been given a three match ban by the FA on the charge of violent conduct. The Belgian international repeatedly attacked Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the potters and faced the possibility of missing nine Premier League games.

Fellaini was involved in three separate clashes with Shawcross and has also been fined £150,000, two weeks wages by the club. Replays show the former Standard Liege star pushed, dragged and head butted the Stoke skipper as referee Mark Halsey and several match officials had not seen Fellaini’s violent activity.

The 25 year old escaped the match without even a caution, however this three match ban means Felliani will be unavailable for clashes against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea. Everton and Fellaini accepted the FA’s sanction and the 6ft 4 midfielder issued an apology and admitted:

“I have no excuses.”

Manager David Moyes was quick to defuse the situation and admitted Fellaini’s conduct was unacceptable.

“We’ll take the punishment if it is given. I’ve told him (Fellaini) that it is not acceptable and I will not accept it as a manager. I could have come in here and said: ‘I’m sorry I didn’t see it’ and hidden behind that but I’ve been as honest as I can. I will say that he is a really good player who is important to the team and if there is to be an absence as a result of this he will have let the team down.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was furious as to why Fellaini hadn’t been punished. This game comes just days before Stoke contacted FA referees claiming his players have been unfairly treated.

“What concerns me is that in our matches we have had the David Luiz challenge on Jonathan Walters against Chelsea, the Ciaran Clark challenge on Glenn Whelan at Aston Villa and now this one. If the referee has seen them – and I don’t know if Mark was in a position to see this one – then why has he not acted?”

Fellaini has been a key figure for Everton this season with a goal ratio of 1 in 2. The Toffees will most certainly miss his presence and contribution as they look to topple Wigan, West Ham and an improving Chelsea side.

Violent conduct as such has no place in football and his ban is justly deserved.