Andre Gomes Handed Three-Game Ban

By Max Wise

Everton midfielder Andre Gomes has been banned for three games by the Football Association for a bad challenge on Aleksandar Mitrovic in a Premier League game against Fulham last Saturday.

Gomes, who is on a season-long loan deal from Spanish champions Barcelona, appeared to stamp on Mitrovic in second-half stoppage time at Craven Cottage, and has accepted a charge of violent conduct.

The already-relegated Fulham defeated Everton 2-0 on the day to give caretaker manager Scott Parker a first Premier League win in six matches with second-half goals from Tom Cairney and Ryan Babel.

Referee Lee Probert and his assistants did not see the incident, and so no card was issued to Gomes, but he has now been banned for three games, following the FA’s decision to charge him.

Gomes will subsequently miss Everton’s games against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Burnley, but will be available to face Tottenham Hotspurs on the last day of the season.

Andre Gomes’ displays have seen him emerge as one of Everton’s players of the season, featuring in 26 Premier League games so far with one goal and an assist.

The 25-year-old former Valencia midfielder was a member of the Portugal squad that won the European Championships in France in 2016.