The FA laughably lifted Gabriel's three-match ban for kicking out at Diego Costa during last Saturday's Premier League victory, but despite being cleared to play against Tottenham in the League Cup, the Brazilian will still be suspended for this weekend's Premier League fixture. The center back was still charged with improper conduct after receiving his marching orders, and after admitting the charge on Thursday, the FA has decided to ban the player for Arsenal's next match.
Here's the full statement released by the FA:
Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Arsenal defender Gabriel will serve a one-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted an FA charge of improper conduct.
The charge relates to Gabriel’s behaviour following his dismissal in or around the 45th minute of the game against Chelsea on Saturday [19 September 2015].
The player, who requested a personal hearing, was also fined £10,000 and warned as to his future conduct.
I don't really think too highly of the FA to begin with (I doubt anyone does), but this is laughable, even by their lofty standards. One of the few things Mike Dean got right during Saturday's fixture was the sending off of the defender, and after siding with the player and (wrongly) deciding that this was an incorrect decision, England's governing body have decided to suspend him anyway, for arguing that point.
The FA, ladies and gentlemen. The FA.