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FA confirm Vieira’s three-match ban

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has been suspended for three matches.

He has beensuspendedfor his challenge on Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in Tuesday’s Premier League match, the English FA confirmed on Friday.

The 33-year-old Frenchman had said he would accept the violent conduct charge after kicking out at Whelan during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Vieira, who was no stranger to disciplinary action during his time in England with Arsenal when he was sent off eight times in nine seasons, said in an interview in the French sports paper L’Equipe on Friday that his move to Manchester City could damage his image in England.

“After you’ve spent so much time playing for such a club as Arsenal, winning titles and playing some of the best football that was played at that time, it is always a bit risky (to come back to the same league in another club),” Vieira said.

“I am not the same player as the one who used to play for Arsenal... I am a different player because I won’t be as attack-minded as in my years at Arsenal,” added Vieira in the interview, which took place before he was charged by the FA.

“Instead of running box to box ten times a game, maybe I’ll do it five times a game. But I’ll have to chose the right moments to do it thanks to my experience. I’ll play more with my head.” Vieira returned to the Premier League on loan from Inter Milan last month. Before he moved to Italy in 2005, he spent nine years at Arsenal, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Vieira was making only his fourth appearance for City against Stoke.

“I still lack pace...There is room for improvement and I think I’m only playing at 60 or 70 percent of my best,” Vieira said.