Brown given three-game suspension

Brown (right) left Alonso with a bloody nose

Fulham's Michael Brown has been banned for three matches after being found guilty of violent conduct for headbutting Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.

The 30-year-old midfielder clashed with Alonso in the first half of Fulham's 1-0 victory on Saturday, leaving the Spaniard with a bloody nose.

Brown denied the charge but was punished at a Football Association disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Brown will miss the last match of this season and the first two of the next.

The referee and his fellow officials did not see the incident, which left Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez seething.

"It was clear and everybody saw it," said Benitez.

"If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game. Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the four officials yet nobody could see anything."

Fulham caretaker manager Lawrie Sanchez responded: "I asked Browny what happened at half-time and he said they ran into each other, there was no headbutt.

"I believe my captain if he says that. He did say they clashed heads but added there was no intent."