The English Football Association has reduced a three-match ban for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic to two games following an appeal by the club on Tuesday. Matic was sent off during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley in the Premier League for pushing over opponent Ashley Barnes, after Barnes' foot had made contact with the side of Matic's left shin when he attempted to pass the ball. The FA says "the violent response of Mr. Matic to the nature of the tackle cannot be condoned" but they "accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made." Matic will miss Sunday's League Cup final against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium and a league game against West Ham on March 4. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/123849.aspx