Kezman gets three-match FA ban for US card

CHELSEA striker Mateja Kezman was last night handed a three-match domestic ban by the Football Association following his sending off against Roma during last week’s pre-season friendly in America.

The £5.3million summer arrival from PSV Eindhoven was dismissed during the ChampionsWorld series match in Pittsburgh.

The FA, who under FIFA regulations have jurisdiction over disciplinary matters involving English clubs playing overseas in friendlies, received an official report of the incident from US Soccer.

Because Kezman sat out the following match on the tour, Chelsea believed the striker had served his relevant punishment.

However, the FA do not regard friendlies as counting towards any ban, and have ruled Kezman must complete a further three-match suspension, to begin on August 17.

While Kezman is now free to face Manchester United in the Premiership opener, he will miss the matches against Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Southampton.