Joey Barton has will miss nearly a third of the 2012-13 campaign as the FA slaps him with a huge suspension.
The QPR captain was dismissed for the second time on the final day of the season when he elbowed Manchester City front-man Carlos Tevez.
In self defence, claims the QPR midfielder, but nevertheless cannot excuse the actions for which Barton incurred a further eight games.
An ill-advised kick out at Sergio Aguero left Barton staring down the tunnel and the prospect of a suspension to fit the crime.
A 12-match ban is probably sufficient considering the nature of the offence, with four of those for his second sending off of the Premier League season – a £75,000 ban accompanied the hefty fixture loss.
Barton will now miss the opening 12 games of the campaign, meaning that nearly a third of the season will pass the QPR skipper by.
Was the punishment justified? – Should it have been more harsh or severe? – Let us know!