James McClean slapped with ban after unseen Wrexham footage emerges | Football | Sport

James McClean has been slapped with a three-match suspension for violent conduct following an incident in Wrexham’s defeat to Swansea. The 36-year-old was seen tussling for the ball with Ronald, which resulted in the Brazilian midfielder hitting the deck after McClean tackled the player instead of the ball.

The cameras then caught McClean leaping over his downed opponent and seemingly swinging his left leg towards Ronald’s head. However, the FA have yet to confirm if this was the cause of his ban. Due to his suspension, McClean will be absent from Wrexham’s upcoming Championship fixtures against Sheffield United, Preston, and Blackburn.

An FA statement read: “James McClean has been suspended for three matches following the EFL Championship game between Swansea City AFC and Wrexham AFC on Friday, December 19.

“The player’s behaviour around the 94th minute wasn’t seen by the match officials at the time, but it was caught on video, and the FA alleged that it constitutes violent conduct. James McClean subsequently admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard penalty for violent conduct.”

Wrexham’s official website released a statement: “Wrexham can confirm James McClean will be suspended for three matches, following an incident in the match against Swansea City.

“Though referee Oliver Langford took no action at the time, McClean was charged following review of the match video, for misconduct for a breach of rule E1.1.”

Swansea secured a 2-1 victory over their Welsh counterparts on home soil on Friday evening. Despite Cameron Burgess putting the visitors ahead with an own goal early on, Zan Vipotnik equalised with 20 minutes remaining.

Adam Idah then netted the decisive goal just a minute into added time.

McClean had started Wrexham’s past seven matches due to an injury to left-back Liberato Cacace, despite falling out of favour at the beginning of the season.