Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been banned for three matches over an off-the-ball incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid, the Football Association announced on Thursday (Dec 10).

Germany captain Schweinsteiger caught Reid in the throat with his left elbow as they jostled for position while awaiting a free-kick in the first half of last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

The incident was missed by the match officials, but a panel of former elite referees decided that Schweinsteiger had committed a red-card offence after reviewing video footage.

“Bastian Schweinsteiger will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after he accepted an FA charge for violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video,” the FA said in a statement.

“The Manchester United midfielder was involved in an incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid in the 40th minute of the game on Saturday 5 December 2015.”

Schweinsteiger, 31, has played 22 games for United and scored one goal since signing from formative club Bayern Munich in July. He will miss the forthcoming Premier League games against Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City.

Source AFP