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Fulham striker Barry Hayles learns what bad
behaviour costs unless you play for certain clubs |
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Fulham striker Barry Hayles was handed a three match ban following an F.A.disciplinary
hearing.
The case against the other player involved Hayden Foxe of West Ham was found
not proved.
Both players were charged with violent conduct during the game at Upton
Park on 3rd November 2001.
Barry Hayles admitted the charge and, having been found guilty, will be
banned for three matches.
Barry's case followed a number of cases against higher profile players who
were all found not guilty.
With Fulham ready to launch an appeal against the sentence, the FA ruled
the suspension would not come into effect until April 29 to allow time for
the hearing to take place.
That means Hayles will be available until that date, including this Sunday's
game against Chelsea, but - unless he wins the appeal hearing - would miss
any appearance in the final as well as the last Premiership match of the
season.
With their intention to appeal against this sentence, Fulham have nevertheless
ensured Hayles' services for the FA Cup semi-final, when - if Arsenal win
the other semi-final against Middlesbrough - they would secure a place in
the UEFA Cup.
It effectively represents something of a gamble by Jean Tigana's club,
with Hayles set to miss any FA Cup final appearance as well as the final
game of the season and possibly also the start of the next campaign.
Asked if the worst-case scenario was an FA Cup Final ban, the striker
admitted earlier this week: "Yes, definitely.
"I just want to play as much as possible and score some goals to
help us stay up and get through to the final."
However, even if they lose the appeal, Fulham have still also secured
his services for the forthcoming league games against Leeds, Bolton and
Leicester.
Given that the club believe they need at most another four points to make
sure of their top-flight status, they would hope to have wrapped up safety
before their final league game on May 11 against Blackburn.