Chelsea forward Didier Drogba has been banned for three matches for throwing a coin at Burnley supporters. The incident took place during Chelsea’s shock League Cup defeat to Burnley on penalties last week. The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of violent conduct.

A coin was thrown from the Burnley end at Drogba and the Ivory Coast forward retaliated by launching the missile back into the away end.

The referee missed the controversial incident, although Drogba was booked for over-zealous celebration, but the Football Association has took action after reviewing video evidence. In 2002 Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher was sent off for a similar incident at Highbury.

The Chelsea forward will miss out on Premier League matches with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers adding to an already disappointing season which has seen him score just once and miss several weeks of the campaign with a knee injury.

The fan that through the coin has yet to be identified, although Burnley are working with Chelsea and the authorities to find the perpetrator, possibly through CCTV footage.

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “Whilst Drogba’s actions can be in no way be condoned neither can the totally irresponsible behaviour of the person who threw the coin in the first place.

“Players and fans have to respect the rule of law and will not receive any support whatsoever from the FSF if they are caught throwing missiles onto the pitch. It’s rightly a criminal offence and could cause serious injury.”