Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy could miss their upcoming two matches after accepting the Football Association’s charge for improper conduct.
Vardy was found guilty of improper conduct by the FA following his reaction to referee Jon Moss after being sent off against West Ham on Sunday.
The 29-year-old had until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge and will learn his fate at a personal hearing, after requesting one.
He was set to miss their upcoming match against Swansea on April 24 but could now be unavailable for their trip to Manchester United on May 1 too if his behaviour is deemed worthy of further punishment.
The FA also charged Leicester for failing to control their players following the award of the Hammers’ 83rd-minute penalty.
‘Leicester City Football Club has today (Thursday) accepted a Football Association charge of failing to control its players during the Barclays Premier League fixture against West Ham United on 17 April,’ the Foxes announced in a club statement via their website.
‘Furthermore, Jamie Vardy has accepted a charge of improper conduct arising from the same fixture. Jamie has, however, requested a personal hearing.
‘We await the outcome of the FA’s disciplinary process.’
The England international was sent off in the second half against West Ham of the 2-2 draw after collecting a second yellow card for diving.
Referee Moss’ decision sparked a furious reaction from Vardy. He was furious at being deemed to have dived to pick up a second booking in the 56th minute, jabbing a finger at Moss and appearing to swear.
Leicester’s No 9 has played an integral role in their success this season – having scored 22 goals and provided six assists for the Premier League leaders.
The Foxes sit five points clear of second-placed Tottenham at the top of the table with four games left.
Vardy has found support from his national boss Roy Hodgson, who believes he should not have received a second yellow card for diving and judged his reaction to seeing red as ‘human’.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa was given an additional one-game suspension for his reaction after he was dismissed in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton last month.
He was handed a £20,000 fine and a warning as to his future conduct.
By Luke Augustus