Bowyer handed six-match UEFA ban

Lee Bowyer has been banned for six matches by UEFA following his stamp on Málaga midfielder Gerardo.

The Leeds midfielder, on the brink of a move to Premiership rivals West Ham, made contact with Gerardo’s head during the UEFA Cup third round defeat at Elland Road on December 12 and must now serve the suspension in European matches.

Bowyer was booked for fouling Gerardo moments before the incident but the referee, his assistants and the fourth official all missed the latter offence.

However, the UEFA control and disciplinary body considered video evidence of the incident and deemed it “an act of assault” and “particularly dangerous”.