Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been handed a three-match suspension by the Football Association after being found guilty of stamping on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.
The 30-year-old defender appeared to intentionally stamp on De Gea's leg in the closing seconds during Liverpool defeat to Manchester United at Anfield.
The incident was missed by referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants, but the FA decided to charge Skrtel after reviewing the video footage of the incident.
The Slovakian denied the charges but an independent panel of FA decided to uphold the charge.
"Liverpool's Martin Skrtel will serve a three match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven," read a statement in FA's official website.
"The defender had denied the charge which related to an on-field incident involving Manchester United's David de Gea in the 95th minute of Sunday's game which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. However, an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today found the charge proven."
The suspension means that Skrtel will now be missing two Premier League fixtures (against Arsenal and Newcastle) and Liverpool's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn.
This is certainly a big blow for the Reds, who will also be without the services of their captain Steven Gerrard, who was shown a red card for stamping on Ander Herrera during the Merseyside's home defeat to United on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard feels that Gerrard made the right decision to quit Liverpool at the end of the season, insisting he has nothing more left to prove at Anfield.
"I'm pleased for Stevie. I think it's a very good move for him. What more can he do at Liverpool? He's had a fantastic career," the former Chelsea man told Liverpool Echo.
Lampard himself exited Chelsea last summer after spending 13 years at Stamford Bridge.
And the former England midfielder insists that Gerrard will move on after leaving Liverpool the same way he moved on after leaving Chelsea.
"I think maybe there's a time at the club, when I look back at my time at Chelsea, and that Chelsea will move on and carry on," he added.
"I am sure Stevie will look at Liverpool and see it the same way. Then you look at yourself and think 'how can I finish in the right way' – and Stevie will do that."
