Bardsley charged for Mata stamp

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

Bardsley, 26, was hit with the charge after stamping on Chelsea’s Juan Mata in Sunderland’s 2-1 home loss to the Blues on Saturday.

Television footage shows Bardsley planting his foot into the back of the Spanish international, who had been tripped by Craig Gardner, and after studying this evidence the FA have retrospectively punished the Scotland full-back.

The incident could see the former Manchester United player suspended for up to four matches, with the relatively long punishment due to the fact that Bardsley has already been sent off this season.

This would leave the club without their defender for the games against Stoke City, West Brom, Norwich City and Arsenal, adding more misery to Steve Bruce’s season with the club yet to find a win despite nine new signings having arrived over the summer.

The Scotland international has until Wednesday to respond to the charge.