Town skipper Sam Morsy has been banned by the FA for four games with immediate effect for violent conduct during Saturday’s game against Accrington Stanley.

The 30-year-old was charged by the FA yesterday regarding a clash with Stanley midfielder Ethan Hamilton just before the half hour.

Morsy was given until today to respond to the charge, which was subsequently upheld by an FA regulatory commission.

Town CEO Mark Ashton told the club site: “We are extremely disappointed with today’s decision from the regulatory commission, to which we cannot appeal.

“Losing our captain is obviously a massive blow, but myself, Kieran McKenna and the coaching staff have full belief in the rest of the squad during the period that Sam will now be unavailable to help deliver the results that we want.”

Morsy tweeted his disappointment at the commission's decision.

The Egyptian international's absence means manager McKenna will be forced into at least one change for this evening's match at AFC Wimbledon.

Morsy will also miss Saturday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday, the home game against Gillingham and the Blues' visit to Doncaster Rovers.

Photos: Reuters/New Wolsey Theatre

Saxonblue74 added 18:34 - Jan 25 Eloquent as ever Blues1. I've watched the video over and over and agree, inconclusive as to whether he made contact. If a player comes steaming in from 10yds away with both feet off the ground at knee height is that OK as long as he narrowly misses? It's deemed as intent and whatever our opinion the FA have very clear rules. No different to raising a hand to a fellow professional, deemed as intent. Morsy knows this as an experienced pro but lost his head momentarily. It happens, and I'm not being critical of him.

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readtheleaguetable added 18:36 - Jan 25 Absolutely absurd. Playactimg opponent and irresponsible chairperson. Two tails wagging the blind dog
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HighgateBlue added 18:42 - Jan 25 He should be banned for another 4 games - he's clearly got his hand in the guy's face in the photo! The video that's widely available didn't look conclusive to me, although contact of some kind was clearly made off the ball. I don't know what evidence the FA had, so I can't really comment on their decision. I don't think we're entitled to be outraged.
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ringwoodblue added 18:42 - Jan 25 Clearly the wrong decision but of course I would say that as a Town fan. Doesn't change the fact it was a stupid thing to do and I really hope our playoff chances are not adversely affected by his absence. Bringing in Bakinson now looks like a masterstroke by Ashton and McKenna as we are suddenly light in central midfield. Wonder who will take over as captain - my shout would be Aluko.

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RamRob added 18:47 - Jan 25 What a joke, should've won the appeal based on the grounds that the 4th official had to have seen it as it was right in front of him where everyone was looking cos the throw hadn't even been taken
2

Fatboy added 18:50 - Jan 25 So it's trial by twitter now is it?
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algarvefan added 18:56 - Jan 25 There are no excuses, it looked very much like a punch/jab, he knew they were trying to wind him up and he went for it. A player of his experience and the Captain of our team should have known better, he has let the club down, sorry but that's the way I see it. Would be nice if he apologised.
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Bert added 18:57 - Jan 25 Total nonsense. Were all the officials including the 4th official blind ? Whilst the AS player himself did not turn this into a farce, their club and chairman win the accolade of pub team of the year.
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AlanG296 added 19:03 - Jan 25 I thought Morsy hadn't done much wrong until I took off my blue tinted spectacles.
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BobbyBell added 19:07 - Jan 25 The message here to all players is "carry on diving and play acting, as you will succeed in conning those in charge of the game and getting players banned or sent off". An incident like that in the seventies or eighties would have been considered to be nothing but handbags and the players would have just played on. You couldn't pay me enough to watch a side like Accrington Stanley every week. Credit to Edmundson after that ridiculous last minute free kick was awarded and another Stanley player tried to provoke him and he turned away.

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Bluearmy_81 added 19:12 - Jan 25 Anyone saying that was a punch must have the sh.i test dig going 😂 My 8 year old nephew can hit stronger than that. It's a man's game ffs. Or it was!!
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Orraman added 19:15 - Jan 25 Will he learn from this. I certainly hope so because Morsy does have a nasty streak running through him. Controlled aggression is ok but there are several times in every game where nasty intent can be seen in his game. That's now seven games he has missed this season and I would not bet against him picking up some more before the end. He has let down everyone connected to ITFC

1

Monkey_Blue added 19:16 - Jan 25 4 games is ridiculous even if you could prove what he did was what the AS chairmen said. Possibly a push but that was against a player trying to block him off the boil.
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OldFart71 added 19:21 - Jan 25 Of course it's nothing to do with Morsy calling Accrington an amateur team for kicking the ball out of the ground to waste time. They are what they are and I do believe there's a huge amount of jealousy in this league as several Managers and Chairman have voiced their opinion on so called " Cheque book Ipswich" Can't say I saw the incident. But this situation is getting silly. You have VAR in the Premier League where goals and fouls are constantly checked. But if a ref makes a decision it's not reviewed. Wouldn't surprise me in the least that someone from Accrington didn't make a complaint. To show you how much this sport has changed watch the foul McParland did on the Utd goalie in the 1957 F.A. Cup Final. He ran into him deliberately and broke his jaw. Not saying players should be able to get away with things like that and if the Referee's controlled games better instead of basically either blowing up for every little foul or missing obvious fouls and in general all being pretty poor the game would be much better.

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Bluroo added 19:21 - Jan 25 Nothing to do but accept it now and go on and do the business without Morsy. Still don't see anything conclusive in that clip maybe the FA had another view?. Based on that alone I think it's quite likely that blatant Rivaldoesque cheating has been rewarded.
1

Dissboyitfc added 19:21 - Jan 25 No justice here I am afraid, I can't remember his name but one of the Stanley thugs put his forearm through Celina's throat! That is not allowed in any sport and highly dangerous!
3

Umros added 19:25 - Jan 25 FA are a joke from grass roots to premier so not surprised, the AC chairman gets away with disgraceful behaviour in writing. Pathetic. Long may AC demise continue as I want to be entertained not watch grown men falling over, taking unauthorised drinks breaks and faking injury, They give football a bad name.
2

grumpyoldman added 19:26 - Jan 25 On first viewing, I thought it was a hit to the face. By coincidence at the weekend watched the Big Match revisited, Ipswich v Spurs 1981, Mick Mills had his shoulder dislocated, various Ipswich players were scythed to the ground. Robson moaned about the Spurs tactics, their manager complained about our players throwing themselves to the ground saying "It's a man's game!" When did it all change, when did men actually stop playing the game and prima donnas takeover?

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grumpyoldman added 19:26 - Jan 25 On first viewing, I thought it was a hit to the face. By coincidence at the weekend watched the Big Match revisited, Ipswich v Spurs 1981, Mick Mills had his shoulder dislocated, various Ipswich players were scythed to the ground. Robson moaned about the Spurs tactics, their manager complained about our players throwing themselves to the ground saying "It's a man's game!" When did it all change, when did men actually stop playing the game and prima donnas takeover?

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brassy added 19:29 - Jan 25 seems cheats prosper
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Edmundo added 19:42 - Jan 25 He called Morsey a $#it house, didn't he? Shall we all send him enough to make his own?
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EatonBlue added 19:54 - Jan 25 There is a saying in the legal profession 'he who comes to equity must approach the court with clean hands'. Hamilton was in the process of fouling Morsy when the incident occurred. I rest my case.
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JewellintheTown added 20:12 - Jan 25 How many extra matches if Morsey can give Andy Holt (the grasser from Accrington) a swift right hook too? Would be worth it.
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runningout added 20:24 - Jan 25 officials in football have been rubbish in every league recently. I realise players don't help with a lot of moaning, cheating and abuse during games. It needs sorting all over the shop
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Bert added 21:59 - Jan 25 Well, if Morsy is guilty of violent conduct, then their chairman is guilty of hate crime.
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