Flynn Downes to miss Manchester City semi-final tie after being charged with violent conduct | OneFootball

Manchester City have been given a huge boost ahead of their FA Cup semi-final tie against Southampton at Wembley after Flynn Downes was banned due to violent conduct. 

Pep Guardiola’s side face off against the Saints who haven’t lost since the middle of January, having gone 20 games unbeaten, winning 15 of them. Tonda Eckert’s side beat Arsenal in the quarter-finals. 

Downes has been one of Southampton’s most influential players this season and has only missed one league game, where he was an unused substitute, since the end of November. 

The 27-year-old’s absence could be pivotal in his side’s charge for a place in the play-offs given he will miss Saturday’s tie alongside the final two EFL Championship games of the season against Ipswich Town and Preston North End respectively. 

Why Flynn Downes is banned for Southampton

On Thursday, Downes was charged by the Football Association (FA) with “violent conduct” during Southampton’s win over Swansea City. The midfielder made a heavy challenge on Liam Cullen in the 23rd minute and was booked after 25 minutes in the same game.

But despite the FA releasing a statement, which revealed that Downes “admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard three-match penalty”, they did not go into detail or disclose the nature of the incident which led to the charge. 

The statement added: “The midfielder’s actions around the 23rd minute wasn’t seen by the match official’s, but was caught on video, and it was subsequently alleged that this constitutes violent conduct.” 

Tonda Eckert and Southampton’s remarkable run

Should Southampton make the play-offs and even the FA Cup Final, he will be able to return after already making 41 appearances under Eckert, scoring three goals in the process. 

It will be a tough task for the Saints despite their positive league record, not least because they face seven-time winners City, who have been runners-up in the last two seasons. 

Guardiola’s side haven’t been condemned by the Saints since January 2023 when goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo knocked then-favourites City out of the League Cup, and are unbeaten in the last three meetings. 

City’s opponents will have some good news themselves due to Rodri remaining out injured after going down holding his groin against Arsenal last Sunday. On Friday, Guardiola said he is “better” but remains out and could be back for the Everton clash a week on Monday. 

If City beat Southampton, they will play either Chelsea or Leeds United at Wembley in the Final – the Citizens are unbeaten against both sides from four meetings this season.