Mile Jedinak could be charged by FA with violent conduct and be banned for four games

SOCCEROOS skipper Mile Jedinak faces a four-game ban for an ugly incident against West Ham if the FA charge him with violent conduct.

West Ham's Diafra Sakho, left, in action with Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground in London, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

SOCCEROOS captain Mile Jedinak faces a four-game ban if the Football Association charges him with violent conduct for an elbow on Diafra Sakho.

The midfielder returned to the Crystal Palace line-up for the first time in 2015 after Asian Cup duty, but with his side 3-1 up against West Ham, the captain’s stray elbow caught Sakho as Jedinak cleared a ball from his own penalty area.

While Jedinak claimed “I am not sure how I caught him” and the referee did not punish the incident, the FA’s disciplinary committee can still charge him and send the defensive midfielder to a three-man panel, made up of former referees.

JEDINAK IN TROUBLE FOR ‘NAUGHTY’ INCIDENT

If the charge against him is proven, he will be banned for four matches, with his send-off against Sunderland in November counting against him.

The popular Palace player has come in for criticism for the incident, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp saying on air: “I’m a big fan of his [Jedinak]. I love the way he plays, he’s got tremendous desire, he’s their manager on the pitch. But you can’t go around brandishing your elbows like that on people’s heads. It’s a dangerous move.”

Originally published as Mile Jedinak could be charged by FA with violent conduct and be banned for four games