The Football Association has banned the Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Joss Labadie for six months after a second biting offence.
The 24-year-old, who was suspended for 10 matches last season after biting Chesterfield’s Ollie Banks while playing for Torquay United, was accused of sinking his teeth into the hand of the Stevenage defender Ronnie Henry in Dagenham’s 1-0 win at the Lamex Stadium on 28 March.
The par clashed near the touchline when Henry tried to wrestle the ball out of Labadie’s arms after play had been stopped. Henry immediately appeared to signal to the nearby assistant referee that he had been bitten.
Labadie pleaded not guilty to the charge but the FA has found against him and he will be out until mid-October.
Dagenham released a statement on Wednesday on their website, saying: “Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Joss Labadie appeared before a Football Association disciplinary hearing this afternoon. Joss pleaded not guilty to the charge of violent conduct. Unfortunately the case was found against him and the subsequent punishment issued by the FA is that he is banned from playing football games for six months commencing today.
“Both the player and the club are awaiting the written report from the FA hearing before deciding their next steps.”
