EPL Standings Leaders Chelsea FC, Nemanja Matic Red Card Ban Reduced [VIDEO] Star Defender Still Missing 2015 Capital One Cup, Mourinho & Club "Appalled" At FA's Decision

After receiving a red card for a retaliation attack on Ashley Barnes last week when EPL standings leader Chelsea FC played Burnley in the Barclays Premier League, star defender Nemanja Matic also received a three-match ban. This week, the Football Association announced that this ban has been reduced to two matches, which means Matic will miss the Capitol One Cup final game against Tottenham Hotspur on March 1, 2015. In response to this news, Chelsea have announced that the club is appalled.

Check out more sports coverage from MStars News right here!

After explaining that Matic's retaliation on Barnes was dangerous, warranting a red card, FA Regulatory Commission chairman Roger Burden this week announced that the tackle from Barnes was very dangerous as well, according to ESPN FC.

"The members of the Commission did, however, accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made with Mr. Barnes of Burnley FC," the official statement from Burden and the FA stated. "Having made those considerations we determined that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension would be clearly excessive and, therefore, ordered that the suspension be reduced to two matches."

Independent Regulatory Commission reduces Nemanja Matic suspension to two matches https://t.co/OyhbTunh7f pic.twitter.com/9NWbWWCKCx

— The FA (@FA) February 24, 2015

Meanwhile, Chelsea FC have responded with their own opinions on the ruling. "The Chelsea Football Club Board is extremely disappointed and frustrated that the FA Regulatory Commission has today decided not to reduce Nemanja Matic's suspension to the maximum extent permitted under FA rules," the club stated. Read the full statement right here!

.@ChelseaFC appalled with the FA's decision on Matic https://t.co/ZvNPTryRkP #CFC pic.twitter.com/3xpdXl7VEJ — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2015

What do you think of this sports news? Let us know in the comments section below!