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Hleb's season over after admitting FA charge

23/04/2008

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has admitted a Football Association charge of violent conduct for striking Reading's Graeme Murty at the weekend.

Television pictures showed the Belarusian lash out at the Royals captain during the Gunners' 2-0 victory over the relegation-threatened club at the Emirates Stadium.

Murty fell to the ground after being struck by Hleb, who appeared to react badly to a tussle between the players over the ball.

In a statement to the FA, referee Peter Walton admitted he had not seen the incident during the match.

However, he informed the governing body's disciplinary committee that if he had he would have issued a red card to Hleb for violent conduct.

Following the player's admission of guilt, the case will no longer need to be heard by a regulatory commission tomorrow, with the offence carrying an automatic three-match ban.

Hleb will begin the suspension immediately, meaning he will sit out all three of the Gunners' remaining Premier League matches against Derby County, Everton and Sunderland.