Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy will not be able to play in the Foxes’s crucial weekend tie against Manchester United as the FA has extended his ban to another game.
Vardy has already served a one match ban, as Leicester City had to do without their star striker in the match against Swansea City. However, as it turned out, the Foxes did not require his services, as they waltzed through to a 4-0 result against the Swans.
The 29-year-old striker was sent off against West Ham after Jon Moss showed him a second yellow card for a dive inside the penalty box. However, it was Vardy’s reaction after the foul that earned him the extended ban. Vardy started pointing at Moss while also swearing at the other officials.
“Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Jamie Vardy has been given a one-match suspension with immediate effect, fined £10,000 and warned as to his future conduct,” read the official statement by the FA. “The Leicester City forward had accepted an FA charge of improper conduct following his second half dismissal against West Ham United on Sunday 17 April 2016.”
The FA also charged Leicester for Vardy’s unacceptable behaviour on the pitch, imposing a fine on the Premier League leaders. Both Vardy and Leicester City have accepted the charges.
“Meanwhile, the club has been fined £20,000 after accepting an FA charge of failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion,” the statement further read. “The standard penalty, which the club accepted, followed an 83rd minute incident during the same fixture.”
Can Leicester do it without Vardy?
Having to play without their top scorer of the season is a difficult job for any team. However, Leicester City have been defying the odds so far this campaign, and that is exactly what they did once again against Swansea. In Vardy’s absence, Ulloa stepped up to the plate and scored a brace to help the Foxes to a 4-0 rout over Swansea.
However, that was against a team that has assured themselves of Premier League survival and does not have much left to fight for. Leicester’s remaining matches are set to be a difficult affair, as they face Manchester United, Everton, and Chelsea — three clubs that have not done too well and will be eager to defeat Leicester.
While Ulloa’s efforts against Swansea were commendable, it will be interesting to see how he squares up against Manchester United.
