Ipswich hit as Leif Davis got suspended for three games after FA decision

Ipswich Town will be without Leif Davis for the next three matches after the left-back received a suspension for violent conduct stemming from last Saturday’s 1–1 draw with Leicester City.

The ban rules Davis out of tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday, next weekend’s home clash with Millwall, and Birmingham City’s visit to Portman Road on Easter Monday following the international break. The punishment relates to a first-half altercation with Leicester defender Caleb Okoli.

During the incident, Davis was seen pulling Okoli’s hair. The Leicester player then reacted by kicking out before Davis pushed him to the ground. Leicester appealed for a penalty at the time, but referee John Busby opted not to take disciplinary action against either player after speaking with them. Later in the same match, Busby also declined to award Ipswich two penalties that the PGMOL subsequently admitted should have been given.

Davis, 26, admitted the charge brought against him but argued that a three-match suspension was excessive. However, an independent regulatory commission rejected his appeal earlier today and upheld the standard punishment.

An FA statement confirmed: “Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis has been handed a three-match suspension for misconduct during their EFL Championship match against Leicester City on Saturday 7 March.

“The defender’s actions around the 27th minute were not seen by match officials at the time but were identified through video footage, leading the FA to charge him with violent conduct.

“Leif Davis admitted the offence but argued that the automatic sanction was clearly excessive.

“An independent regulatory commission dismissed this claim and imposed the usual three-match suspension. Written reasons for the decision will be published in due course.”

Ipswich also issued a statement acknowledging the ruling, confirming that the suspension takes immediate effect starting with this weekend’s match at Hillsborough.

Club CEO and chairman Mark Ashton voiced strong frustration with the decision, particularly given what he described as a series of officiating controversies involving Ipswich in recent matches.

His comments follow the two denied penalties against Leicester and a controversial late penalty awarded to Stoke City, which allowed them to equalise in injury time at the bet365 Stadium.

“Following a week of frustration regarding officiating, I am incensed by the timing, process and outcome regarding this incident,” Ashton said.

“We are currently awaiting the written reasons, which we expect to be full, clear and transparent, and will reserve the club’s position until that point.”

Ipswich are already missing centre-back Cedric Kipré for the next two games after the defender accumulated 10 yellow cards under contentious circumstances. His ninth booking came for protesting after Ipswich were denied a late penalty against Leicester, while his tenth followed the challenge that resulted in Stoke’s stoppage-time penalty – a decision later acknowledged as incorrect. Yellow cards cannot be appealed. Kipré’s second caution of the season was also issued during the abandoned match at Blackburn Rovers in September.

The suspension leaves Ipswich light in defence, with Ashley Young still sidelined by a hip injury until after the international break. Ben Johnson is expected to step in at left-back, while the team will also be hoping right-back Darnell Furlong avoids a 10th booking — which would trigger a two-match ban — before the cut-off following tomorrow’s game at Hillsborough.

Anis Mehmeti and Azor Matusiwa are also one booking away from suspension as Ipswich prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday.