LONDON: Ramires will miss Chelsea's remaining matches in the English Premier League after being banned for four games for violent conduct.
During Saturday's match against Sunderland, Ramires struck Sebastian Larsson with a flailing arm in an off-the-ball incident that match officials missed. However, a panel of former elite referees reviewed the video evidence and decided it constituted violent conduct.
The FA said on Thursday that Ramires accepted the charge. With only three league matches remaining for second-place Chelsea, the final match of the ban will carry over into next season.
Chelsea was beaten 2-1 by Sunderland. Manager Jose Mourinho was also charged with improper conduct for questioning the integrity of the referee. Assistant Rui Faria was charged with two counts of misconduct on the touchline.
Mourinho and Faria have until Monday to respond to their charges.
