Martin Skrtel: Liverpool defender to serve three-game ban

The clash between Skrtel and De Gea came in stoppage time

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will serve a three-match ban after being found guilty of stamping on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

But Skrtel will face no action over an Instagram post that appeared to mock the verdict.

An independent Football Association disciplinary panel rejected his appeal against a violent conduct charge.

Following the decision, Skrtel uploaded a photograph of three clowns to his Instagram account with no explanation.

The only accompanying caption was an ellipsis, "..."

Martin Skrtel posted a photograph of three clowns on his Instagram account

In fighting the charge, Skrtel had argued the stamp, towards the end of United's 2-1 Premier League win at Anfield on Sunday, was accidental.

Liverpool have refused to comment on the panel's verdict.

Neither referee Martin Atkinson nor his fellow officials saw the incident at the time, meaning the FA was able to take retrospective action against the 30-year-old by referring to television footage of the incident.

The disciplinary panel's decision means Skrtel will miss the Premier League games at Arsenal (4 April) and against Newcastle (13 April), plus the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn (8 April).

The defender is the second Liverpool player to receive a three-match ban as a result of an incident during Sunday's match, as captain Steven Gerrard was sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera, 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Referee Martin Atkinson did not see the incident involving Skrtel and United keeper De Gea