20.03.2014 16:09 h

Football: Hull's Boyd gets three-game spitting ban

Asmir Begović in actie tijdens Stoke City - Swansea City. (12-2-2014)
Asmir Begović in actie tijdens Stoke City - Swansea City. (12-2-2014)

Hull winger George Boyd has been given a three-game ban for spitting at Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, it was announced Thursday.

A statement on behalf of an independent regulatory commission said it had upheld a Football Association misconduct charge.

Scotland international Boyd was alleged to have spat at Hart as the pair confronted each other after Boyd fell under the England goalkeeper's challenge in the box at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

Hart was booked by referee Lee Mason and as a result he will face no further action.

But Boyd is now set to miss the Tigers' upcoming Premier League matches against West Brom, West Ham and Stoke.

"Hull City's George Boyd will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after an FA charge for spitting was found proven," a statement on the English governing body's website said.

"The incident with Manchester City's Joe Hart, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred in or around the 68th minute of the fixture between the two sides on Saturday 15 March 2014.

"Boyd had denied the breach of FA Rule E1[a], but it was found proven at an independent regulatory commission hearing today (Thursday).

After Saturday's match, which Hull lost 2-0, Boyd insisted Hart should have been sent off, saying: "He didn't nut me but he's put his head in, so he should have got sent off really."

Television footage appeared to show Boyd spitting in Hart's direction, but Hull manager Steve Bruce defended his player by saying: "George Boyd would not do that, not a chance -- not deliberately, anyway. He is as honest as they come."