Ian Wright lamented the 'pathetic' decision to book Milos Kerkez in an incident which saw the defender suspended for his side's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. The left-back, who has been linked with Liverpool, was harshly shown a yellow card in the previous round, with his collection of bookings in the competition ruling him out of the game against City at Vitality Stadium.

Kerkez was involved in a relatively one-sided scuffle with Matheus Cunha during Bournemouth's fifth round victory over Wolves. Late in extra-time, Cunha pushed, kicked and then head-butted Kerkez in a remarkable outburst after the Cherries star had tried to quickly retrieve the ball from his opponent. The Wolves forward was sent off and Kerkez, much to his amazement, was shown a yellow card by referee Sam Barrott. Bournemouth went on to win a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, with a tie against City awaiting them in the quarter-final - although Kerkez was banned.

"Speaking over a replay of the incident, ITV pundit Wright said: "Pathetic for him to be suspended for that. They should be able to look at that and see it's not something he should be suspended for. Why wouldn't they do that? It's blatantly obvious to see."

Roy Keane added: "To get punished... obviously the punishment comes today in missing such a big game. It's a hard one to take, definitely."

Wright concluded: "It's tough, all he's trying to do is get the ball [from Cunha] there."

Cunha was handed a four-match ban over the incident. The additional game on top of the usual three-match suspension was due to a ban he had served earlier in the season. Kerkez's yellow card was his second in the FA Cup this campaign and he therefore missed the visit of City.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was furious over the decision to book Kerkez and suggested that the Football Association should instead 'reward' the 21-year-old for responding relatively calmly to Cunha's tantrum.

"Kerkez got a yellow for 'adopting an aggressive attitude' but after what they did to Milos, they should reward him," Iraola said afterwards.

"They punched him, kicked him on the floor and headbutted him and he didn't react. And yet they punish him. As a player I would not have reacted like he did. He will not play the quarter-finals, probably the most important game of the season. I am very disappointed."