Defender was charged for using “abusive and/or insulting words” and admitted to the charge
Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea after the FA upheld a charge of improper conduct against the defender.
Maguire had already been serving a suspension following his red card in the defeat to Bournemouth last month, but has now received an additional one-match ban and a £30,000 fine.
The charge relates to his actions after being sent off at the Vitality Stadium, where the fourth official reported that Maguire directed abusive language as he left the pitch. According to the FA’s written reasons, the defender shouted: “You’re a joke. You’re all a fucking joke.”
Maguire disputed the exact wording, stating he said “something along the lines of ‘it is a fucking joke’ ”, but admitted the charge.
The FA said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a one-match suspension and £30,000 fine on Manchester United FC’s Harry Maguire. The defender was charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 20 March.
“It was alleged that Harry Maguire acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal. The defender subsequently admitted the charge.”
United will also be without Lisandro Martinez for the match at Stamford Bridge after he was sent off in the defeat to Leeds United. The defender was dismissed for appearing to pull the hair of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a decision head coach Michael Carrick described as “shocking.”
The club have lodged an appeal against Martínez’s suspension, although there is little expectation it will be overturned.
With both senior defenders unavailable, Carrick is expected to turn to younger options, with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven likely to start in central defence.
