James Tarkowski: Burnley defender accepts violent conduct charge

Burnley defender James Tarkowski has accepted a charge of violent conduct and will serve a three-match ban with immediate effect.

The 25-year-old was charged after swinging his arm into Brighton striker Glenn Murray's chest during Saturday's 0-0 draw in the Premier League.

Tarkowski will miss games against Tottenham, Manchester United and Huddersfield this month.

He will be available for Liverpool's visit to Turf Moor on 1 January.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche said the length of the ban was "disappointing".

"It must be pointed out that we don't condone the action," he added.

"He does turn round and nudge him in his ribs, but as a grown man I think it's unlikely to need to fall to the floor and stay down for 30 seconds.

"But the game's changing and the honour in the game is changing as well."

Although Tarkowski accepted the charge, he argued the three-game ban was excessive - a claim rejected by a Football Association panel.

James Tarkowski tussled with Glenn Murray in the 35th minute

Violent conduct ban 'bizarre' - Dyche

Dyche said Tarkowski had previously suffered a hand injury in the same game, which subsequently required an operation in which a plate and five pins were inserted.

"He had damaged it before, and just before the incident he [Murray] just happened to grab his hand," said Dyche. "Maybe it was by accident.

"When he [Tarkowski] explained it to me and I saw it on the video, I thought, 'fair play'. I trust my players 100% to tell me the truth. We put that forward but they still decided it was three games for violent conduct.

"In the greater scheme of things it's a very low-contact situation. To use the word 'violent' itself is bizarre in my opinion.

"But when you put it in the melting pot with the amount of simulation that doesn't get looked at, then we are very disappointed with that."

The centre-back has started all 18 of Burnley's Premier League matches this season, helping them reach sixth in the table - just two points off the Champions League places.

Burnley have the joint-best defensive record in the top tier - alongside both Manchester clubs, City and United - conceding just 12 goals.