Southampton captain handed suspension for Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Southampton captain Jack Stephens is set to miss their match against Arsenal this weekend after his red-card ban was extended.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Referee, Stuart Attwell shows a red card to Jack Stephens of Southampton after fouling Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Southampton captain and centre-back Jack Stephens had started his team’s opening four Premier League games of the season before he picked up a straight red card against Manchester United on September 14th.

The defender was handed the standard three-match ban for the offence, with Southampton to face Arsenal three Premier League matches later.

But as we know from this week’s online drama, Premier League red-card suspensions are also served in the League Cup, and Southampton played Everton in the competition a few days after the United match.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United reacts after being fouled by Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Initially, it looked like Stephens would therefore be available to face Arsenal. He would be banned against Everton, Ipswich, and Bournemouth, before returning to the squad at the Emirates Stadium.

But the BBC report that the player has been handed an additional two-match suspension for using abusive and insulting language towards referee Stuart Attwell and fourth official Gavin Ward.

The Athletic report that Stephens called Stuart Attwell “a c***”, then called Ward a “f***ing little c***”, before coming back one more time to call Ward “a c***” again.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Referee Stuart Attwell during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Stephens pointed out that the third insult was when he was returning to pass on the captain’s armband, rather than specifically returning to hurl abuse.

All the same, he’s now set to miss the Arsenal and Leicester City matches, and he’s apologised for his behaviour.

“I am well aware that what I said was completely unacceptable and below the standard of conduct expected of me,” Stephens wrote to the FA Regulatory Commission.

“I am very embarrassed by my behaviour and want to apologise sincerely for it.”