Why Jack Stephens Will Miss Four Games After Pulling Marc Cucurella’s Hair

• Chelsea thrashed Southampton 5-1 on December 4 to move into second place on the Premier League table
• The Saints were reduced to 10 men just before halftime after Jack Stephens pulled Marc Cucurella's hair
• YEN.com.gh looks at why the Southampton captain will be banned for four games and not three red card offences carry

Jack Stephens received a straight red card after he pulled Marc Cucurella's hair during Southampton's game against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The Southampton captain received his marching orders six minutes from halftime after referee Tony Harrington was referred to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Why Jack Stephens was sent off vs Chelsea

The Premier League released a statement afterwards, confirming that Stephens was sent off for violent conduct.

"The VAR recommended an on-field review for possible violent conduct for Jack Stephens. The referee then issued a red card."

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The Saints were trailing 3-1 at that time and ended up losing 5-1, increasing pressure on Russell Martin.

How many red cards has Jack Stephens got?

It was Stephens' second red card of the season, having previously been sent off against Manchester United in September. He hauled down Alejandro Garnacho to stop the Red Devils' counterattack and was dismissed for serious foul play.

He was suspended for three games, but his ban was increased to five by the FA after he insulted the match officials before leaving the pitch.

Why Jack Stephens will be banned four games after Chelsea red card

This time, the 30-year-old will miss four games, not the three that result in straight red cards for violent conduct.

The FA handbook on red and yellow cards explains that a player will be banned for three games in cases of violent conduct, but if he gets a second red card during the season, the ban will be increased to four games.

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"For every additional red card received in the playing season, a player will receive an additional one-game suspension on top of the automatic suspension."

Has anyone ever been suspended for four games?

Yes, Chelsea captain Reece James received two red cards last season and received a four-match ban that split into this season. Manchester United's Casemiro and Tottenham Hotspur's Yves Bissouma have also suffered from this rule.

Which games will Jack Stephens miss?

Unlike suspensions coming from yellow cards, red cards can be served in domestic cups as well. This means Stephens will miss Premier League assignments against Aston Villa, Tottenham and Fulham and the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool.

Why Chelsea were awarded free kick inside Villa's box

YEN.com.gh earlier explained why Chelsea were awarded an indirect free kick inside Aston Villa's penalty area during their Premier League clash.

The controversial decision came in the first half of Chelsea's 3-0 victory and sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts.

Source: TUKO.co.ke