Manchester City have released a statement where they have ‘reluctantly’ accepted Gareth Barry’s suspension by the FA for using abusive/insulting words against the match official during the Manchester Derby.
Whenever Manchester United and Manchester City face each other there is never a shortage of drama and the last Manchester derby didn’t disappoint either. Robin van Persie’s late winner has given United a six point lead on their neighbour. Although it is only half-way through the season, it might yet prove to be decisive.
But the drama on the pitch didn’t end with Robin van Persie’s late winner. After the match, Gareth Barry confronted the referee and he evidently used abusive words towards him. FA charged him with violation of rule E3.
Later, Barry accepted his admitted the charges brought against him and consequently the FA suspended the England international for one match. The governing body also fined him £8,000 for his actions.
FA released an official statement regarding their decision which stated –
“Manchester City’s Gareth Barry will serve a one-match suspension with immediate effect after admitting a breach of FA Rule E3 in that he used abusive and or insulting words towards a match official following his side’s match against Manchester United on Sunday 9 December 2012.
“Also as part of the standard penalty for this offence, Barry has been fined £8,000.”
Despite Barry accepting the charges, Manchester City were baffled by FA’s decision. The Club released a statement saying that they have ‘reluctantly’ accepted FA’s decision, but they have written to the FA conveying their bemusement at the charges brought against Barry, which they believe was normal reactions from a player in such a heated situation.
City released an official statement on their website regarding Barry’s suspension –
“Both the club and Gareth Barry reluctantly accept the punishment, which leads to Gareth being unavailable to take part in the weekend’s match against Newcastle.”
City will miss Barry in their next match which will be a tough away fixture at Newcastle. Barry has been an ever present in Mancini’s team so far this season and it will be interesting to see if young Jack Rodwell is given a chance to cover for the former Aston Villa midfielder.
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