The Football Association has reduced Nemanja Matic’s suspension from three matches to two but Chelsea are still not happy.
Matic saw red after shoving Burnley player Ashley Barnes in reaction to being struck in the shin during the weekend stalemate with the Clarets.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho labelled the challenge ‘criminal’ but Barnes escaped punishment during the clash and will face no further action.
Chelsea appealed Matic’s three-game ban, which has now been reduced, but the Stamford Bridge are not satisfied with the outcome.
A club statement read: “The Chelsea Football Club Board is extremely disappointed and frustrated that the FA Regulatory Commission has today decided not to reduce Nemanja Matic’s suspension to the maximum extent permitted under FA rules.
“Chelsea FC challenged the standard three-match suspension which automatically followed the red card issued to Matic by referee Martin Atkinson during Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley.
“There has been universal condemnation of the reckless challenge made by Ashley Barnes on Matic and it is the club’s view that he has been unjustly punished with a two-match ban for his reaction to a career-threatening tackle.
“It is Chelsea’s opinion that referees and the football authorities must do more to protect players at all levels of the game from dangerous challenges. This decision also clearly demonstrates a need for consistency and fairness in the disciplinary process.
“The club awaits The FA’s written reasons, prior to commenting further.”
Roger Burden, chairman of the independent regulatory commission, gave an explanation for the length of the ban of the FA’s official website.
He said: “In reaching this decision the members of the Regulatory Commission rejected the mitigation advanced by Nemanja Matic in respect of the provocation and tackle he received which led to his act of violent conduct.
"The violent response of Mr. Matic to the nature of the tackle cannot be condoned and does not vindicate his subsequent actions. The members of the Commission did, however, accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made with Mr. Barnes of Burnley FC.
"Having made those considerations we determined that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension would be clearly excessive and, therefore, ordered that the suspension be reduced to two matches.”
