Vieira gets 3-match ban for violent conduct

Patrick Vieira

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has been banned for three matches for kicking Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan in the groin.

Vieira accepted a violent conduct charge and will now sit out games against Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea.

The former Arsenal player thrust his boot at Whelan after stumbling under the midfielder’s challenge in City’s 1-1 draw at Stoke in the English Premier League on Tuesday.

Vieira has played just four games for City since joining from Inter Milan last month. He was sent off 10 times in nine years at Arsenal.