Burnley boss Sean Dyche has claimed that an injury led to James Tarkowski elbowing Glenn Murray in last weekend's goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The incident was missed by the referee but Tarkowski has received a retrospective three-match ban from the Football Association and will miss the Christmas period.
Dyche has accepted that Tarkowski's reaction was wrong, but the Clarets manager has revealed that the player had previously injured his hand in the second half, which has resulted in surgery.
The 25-year-old told reporters: "The reason we are a bit surprised is because you can clearly see Glenn Murray grab his hand. That hand has got five pins in it and a metal plate.
"I would suggest an action causes a reaction. We put that to the panel, but they decided that it should not be reduced. As I said, he should not react like that, but to get a three game ban for that is very disappointing."
Tarkowski is expected to be fit to return to action when Burnley host Liverpool on New Year's Day.
Darren Plant
