Nemanja Matic: Chelsea to appeal against midfielder's red card

23 February 2015

Chelsea are to appeal against the red card shown to Nemanja Matic during Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Burnley.

The 26-year-old Serbia midfielder was sent off for pushing Ashley Barnes to the ground after being tackled by the Clarets forward.

The Premier League leaders have until 13:00 GMT on Tuesday to submit their evidence to the Football Association.

Matic will miss Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Tottenham unless Chelsea's appeal succeeds.

He will also be sidelined for league matches against West Ham and Southampton if his three-match domestic suspension stands.

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer
"This is a horrific tackle by Ashley Barnes. It's dangerous, it's naughty. I understand that reaction from Nemanja Matic. It's not right, but I understand it, because Ashley Barnes could easily have broken his leg. Matic, for that, is going to miss the League Cup final. Barnes doesn't even get a yellow card."

Blues boss Jose Mourinho defended Matic's reaction, and described the tackle from Barnes as "criminal".

"It could be the end of Matic's career," said Mourinho. "He is a very lucky guy.

"Football is about emotions and clearly Nemanja Matic had a reason to lose his emotions.

"What are the consequences of his push? Nothing. The consequence for Matic from the tackle? It could be the end of his career."

Matic has featured in 25 of Chelsea's 26 Premier League games this season, and made 37 appearances in all competitions.

Premier League card sharks
Club	Red cards (yellow cards)
Aston Villa	6 (52)
Swansea	5 (38)
Hull City	4 (52)
Manchester United	4 (50)
Leicester City	4 (41)
Tottenham	3 (55)
Newcastle United	3 (50)
Chelsea	3 (46)
Crystal Palace	3 (39)
Manchester City	2 (58)
Arsenal	2 (57)
QPR	2 (51)
Everton	2 (50)
West Ham United	2 (44)
Southampton	2 (41)
Sunderland	1 (65)
Liverpool	1 (49)
West Bromwich Albion	1 (43)
Stoke	0 (56)
Burnley	0 (46)
Stats correct as of 23 February 2015. Source: Opta.

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