EFL club’s promotion push handed major blow after top scorer banned

Notts County striker Alassana Jatta has been handed a three-match ban for violent conduct by the FA.

The suspension stems from an incident during Friday’s League Two defeat at Salford City.

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Jatta was charged after the offence was caught on video despite being missed by the officials at the time.

Having admitted to the charge, he accepted a three-match ban as punishment.

It means Notts County will be without their joint-top scorer for a crucial run of games in their bid for promotion.

Martin Paterson’s side are currently fourth in League Two with five matches remaining.

FA statement

In a statement, an FA spokesperson said: “Alassana Jatta has been given a three-match ban for misconduct during Notts County’s EFL League Two match against Salford City on Friday 3 April.

“The forward’s behaviour around the 79th minute of the fixture wasn’t seen by match officials at the time, but it was caught on video, and The FA subsequently alleged that it constituted violent conduct.

“Alassana Jatta admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard punishment of a three-match suspension for violent conduct.”

Meanwhile, Notts County also confirmed the news in a statement of their own.

The club wrote: “Alassana Jatta has been given a three-match ban following an incident in the 79th minute of Friday’s Sky Bet League Two match against Salford City.

“The forward has admitted to a charge of violent conduct and has accepted the FA’s standard punishment.”

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Jatta’s ban will begin with his side’s home meeting with Newport County on Monday.

The 27-year-old will also miss Saturday’s trip to face promotion rivals Cambridge United, who are only above them on goal difference in the final automatic promotion spot.

His suspension will then conclude at home to Barnet on April 18 before he is able to return against Colchester United a week later in what is County’s final match in the league season.

Jatta has scored 14 goals in 29 League Two appearances this season and is tied with Matthew Dennis as the Magpies’ top scorer in the league.

Notts County sit outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference after their dramatic 2-1 defeat to Salford.

All three goals were scored in stoppage time before a melee on the pitch following the final whistle.

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Manager Martin Paterson was involved in the incident after taking exception to how Salford celebrated their winning goal.

Although they are level on points with third place Cambridge, the U’s have a game in hand.

Notts County are aiming to return to League One for the first time since suffering relegation in 2015.