After his initial 3 match ban for being sent off against Manchester United ended with the trip to Bournemouth on Monday night, comes the news that Southampton Captain Jack Stephens will have to serve a bit more time out yet.

If Russell Martin was thinking that all his problems would be solved after Jack Stephens completed his three match ban on Monday night, there comes the news that he has been given further punishment.

The Daily Echo is reporting that Captain Jack has been banned for a further two games and also given a £50,000 fine for incidents occurring as he was sent off in the defeat to Manchester United.

Referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Gavin Ward both filed an extraordinary incident report form to the FA following the interaction and Stephens will now also miss the trip to Arsenal & the home game against Leicester City.

An FA statement said:

"The defender admitted that he used abusive and insulting words towards both the match referee and fourth official around the 79th minute."

Stephens requested a personal hearing to oversee his case and hear his apology, as well as admitting his use of insulting and abusive language.

Stephens said: "I am well aware that what I said was completely unacceptable and below the standard of conduct expected of me.

"I am very embarrassed by my behaviour and want to apologise sincerely for it... I know the importance of accepting a referee's decision.

"Instead, I spoke to him saying something that I would not normally say. I then used that language again to Mr Ward.

"This is not an excuse, but it was in the heat of the moment... I sincerely apologise to Mr Atwell and Mr Ward."

The FA report also indicated that the commission had initially recommended a four-match ban, which was mitigated in part due to his prior clean misconduct record.

This news will be greeted with a mixed reaction by the Southampton fanbase with some uncharitably feeling that this is a help to the cause rather than a hindrance, however as much as I feel that Russell martin has played Jack Stephens when he did not deserve to be in the team , it gives me no pleasure to see him get a further suspension.

All Photos Via Reuters

mushinexile added 15:11 - Oct 1 Oh, dear. I suppose that means we will lose two more games. Just not by as big a margin.
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DellBoyWally added 16:04 - Oct 1 At least we get some good news
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obelisk added 17:33 - Oct 1 Nice to see Stephens handing some stuff back to the EPL prima donnas. Also nice to see that he'll not be back just yet. Probably his last game under RM.
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Colburn added 17:49 - Oct 1 One Jack Stephens, there’s only one Jack Stephens! Shame some people on this site are not true Saints fans.. when you constantly slag off the captain of your team for a year, despite promotion, what else do you expect other than 1 point from 7 games..? You playahaters make me laugh.. oblivious to the role you are playing in our downfall, but I suppose with some, your brains have been addled with alcohol to the point of ignorance. Self fulfilling prophecies are everyday occurrences. I can understand frustration and at times anger towards board and management as they make the decisions, but to constantly dig at those who will spill blood for the shirt is beyond belief and frankly a disgrace to the shirt, the badge and the club. Utterly pathetic people with no moral fibre or loyalty. Jog on…

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Colburn added 17:56 - Oct 1 Oh you mean that Jack Stephens. The one we loaned out to Bournemouth to help their defence to be strong enough to stay up while we were relegated because of a poor defence..
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smartjoe added 18:30 - Oct 1 I just read in the Daily Telegraph comments section regarding Jack Stephens extra two game ban, that Arsenal and Leicester City are appealing against the ban!
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