Following three blatant off-the-ball incidents at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, including a headbutt, an elbow, and a hand to the face, Everton’s Maroune Fellaini canexpect a three-game suspension at the very least, a probability that could hasten the Belgian’s departure from Goodison Park, The Guardian surmises.
Although Fellaini issued animmediate apology to fans and to Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross, who was on the receiving end of each of the three incidents, “the embarrassing aftermath” ofFellaini’s actions “will surely only strengthen his intention to seek pastures new,” The Guardian says, adding that Everton coach David Moyes, who condemnedthe 25-year-old’s actions, is just as likely to want to cash in on the $48.6 million the Liverpool club would get for him during the January transfer window, especially considering theBelgian’s desire to leave Everton.
And while it was almost unbelievable that referee Mark Halsey missed all three of Fellaini’s misdemeanors, the TV cameras certainlydid not, and a Football Association charge of violent conduct is likely to come later this week.
Didn’t Shawcross break Aaron Ramsey’s leg and only receive a three game ban. Shawcross and Co. @ Stoke routinely brutalize their opponents.