Lincoln City defender receives ban after FA review incident in Bristol Rovers match

Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma has received a three-game ban after admitting to a charge of violent conduct against James Connolly in Bristol Rovers' 1-0 defeat at Sincil Bank last Saturday.

Rovers are seen to be taking a corner with Connolly and Montsma both waiting for the ball to come in the box, and when the ball is in flight, the two tussle for the ball which neither get and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth gets his team going on the counter-attack. In the aftermath, Connolly is unable to get back into position as Montsma can be seen moving his elbow, which catches Connolly in the face and he goes down inside Lincoln's goal.

The incident was shared by Joey Barton on his personal Twitter account on Monday, as well as an offside that was not given by the match officials, as well as photographic evidence of Ryan Loft's collision with the goalkeeper. Loft was sent off for violent conduct which is a three-game ban, and he missed the midweek draw with Ipswich Town.

An FA spokesperson wrote: Lincoln City FC’s Lewis Montsma has been suspended for three matches following an incident in their EFL League one game against Bristol Rovers FC on Saturday 11 February.

“The defender’s behaviour in the 81st minute was not seen by the match officials, but it was caught on camera, and he subsequently admitted that it constitutes violent conduct.

“Lewis Montsma contested the automatic penalty for violent conduct but an independent Regulatory Commission maintained that it applies during a subsequent hearing.”

Montsma featured for the Imps in their draw with Derby County on Tuesday in which Ben House was red carded in. The Dutch defender will now miss trips home matches against Portsmouth and MK Dons, as well as a trip to relegation-threatened Forest Green Rovers.