Touré admits FA charge

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure today admitted a charge of violent conduct for elbowing Alan Shearer and must now serve a three-match ban.

Toure opted not to contest the charge and will therefore miss this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves, as well as Barclays Premiership games against Manchester United and Aston Villa.

The Football Association reviewed video evidence after the Ivory Coast international was alleged to have elbowed Shearer in the back during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Highbury last Sunday.

The FA revealed on their website, www.theFA.com: “Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has admitted a charge of violent conduct.

“The associated automatic three-match suspension will therefore start with immediate effect.

“The charge related to an incident involving Newcastle’s Alan Shearer during the match at Highbury on January 23.”