Tottenham midfielder gets six-game ban for violent conduct

London, BBC May 07: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has been banned for six games by the Football Association for violent conduct against Chelsea’s Diego Costa.

Belgium international Dembele appeared to eye-gouge forward Costa during Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Monday.

Referee Mark Clattenburg did not punish the 28-year-old during the game. Dembele chose not to contest the charge, and will now be unavailable to manager Mauricio Pochettino until Spurs’ fifth game of next season.

He has made 29 appearances in the league this season, scoring three goals. Dembele was one of nine Spurs players booked in the draw at Stamford Bridge – a Premier League record for one team.

Monday’s result ended Tottenham’s hopes of winning the Premier League. Pochettino’s side have two games remaining this season, against Southampton and Newcastle, with three points almost certain to secure second place.