Football Association reduces Nemanja Matic ban to two matches

The Football Association has reduced Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic's ban to two matches following his red card against Burnley.

Matic was dismissed for violent conduct on Saturday after reacting aggressively to a tackle from Ashley Barnes.

The FA announced on Monday that Barnes would not be facing any action for his part in the incident.

The Blues confirmed after the match at Stamford Bridge that they would be appealing the decision, and they have successfully had the suspension reduced by one game.

However, Matic will still miss Sunday's League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was particularly incensed by the red card, claiming that Matic could have had his career ended by Barnes.

"In reaching this decision the members of the regulatory commission rejected the mitigation advanced by Nemanja Matic in respect of the provocation and tackle he received which led to his act of violent conduct," read a statement from chairman of the FA independent regulatory commission Roger Burden.

"The violent response of Mr Matic to the nature of the tackle cannot be condoned and does not vindicate his subsequent actions. The members of the commission did, however, accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made with Mr. Barnes of Burnley FC.

"Having made those considerations we determined that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension would be clearly excessive and, therefore, ordered that the suspension be reduced to two matches."

Matic has scored three goals in 37 games for Chelsea so far this season.