Martin Skrtel is fighting to clear his name and help Liverpool pursue success.
Skrtel denied the Football Association’s charge that he acted violently toward David de Gea in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, according to the BBC and Sky Sports. Skrtel appeared to step on de Gea’s leg while chasing a ball in the game’s dying seconds.
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Referee Martin Aktinson missed the incident when it occured, but a three-man panel of former top referees used video to determine Skrtel’s stamp on de Gea would have been a red-card offense and advised the FA to punish him retroactively.
The FA charged Skrtel with violent conduct Monday, and the Slovakian defender chose to fight the charge Tuesday.
Skrtel would have served a three-game ban if he accepted the FA’s charge. The ban spans Liverpool’s Premier League games against Arsenal (on April 4) and Newcastle (April 13) as well as its FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Blackburn on April 8.
Skrtel and Liverpool are appealing the charge, claiming Skrtel accidentally stepped on de Gea. The FA will make its final ruling Wednesday.
Skrtel is Liverpool’s defensive rock and leads the department in a host of areas, including appearances (41 in all competitions).
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Liverpool has the Premier League’s sixth-best defensive record, having conceded 32 goals in 30 games in 2014-15.
Skrtel’s potential absence could force Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to reshuffle his defense and tinker with a formula that produced winning soccer for months until Sunday’s loss. Kolo Toure and Dejan Lovren are likely replacements for Skrtel should the FA ban him.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@LivEchoLFC
