Cambridge boss Garry Monk hit Bristol Rovers striker Chris Martin for a sickening header which concussed a young defender.
Martin, 35, punched U’s centre-back Mamadou Jobe, 14 years his junior, in an incident missed by officials before scoring Rovers’ winning goal in a 1-0 triumph on Tuesday.
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The former Scotland international missed a penalty in the first half of the League One clash before lashing out eight minutes later.
As the two men argued in the box waiting for a potential cross from the right during a Rovers attack, Martin headbutted the 21-year-old.
The incident was not seen by referee Daniel Middleton as Cambridge defender Jobe backed away after the kick and play continued.
To add insult to injury, Martin then scored the winner in the 87th minute, a result which left Monk’s men fearing defeat.
Martin was handed a retroactive four-match suspension for violent conduct after the moment was caught on television cameras.
However, Cambridge will also be without Jobe for the remainder of their season, due to concussion, as they battle to avoid relegation.
U boss Monk was understandably furious at the ordeal after seeing his side lose 1-0 to Derby on Saturday in Jobe’s absence.
Speaking after the defeat, Monk said: “I’m extremely disappointed with that, it’s like a triple whammy. There’s a young defender there, and Chris Martin decides to headbutt him in full face.
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“The referee missed it, we saw it straight away and we tried to point it out, but I can understand if you are an official and you missed it.
“Then someone who shouldn’t even be on the field scores the game-winning goal, and then we lose a player for the rest of the season because he’s in concussion protocol.
“He’s been sick all night, groggy, headaches, for a really cowardly act, so I’m a little mad at him if I’m honest with you. […]”.
Regarding Martin’s ban, which will be deferred until next season, Monk added: “I’m glad the FA have taken action.”
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In a statement, the FA said: “Chris Martin will be suspended for four matches following the EFL League One match between Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United on Tuesday April 16. The striker’s behavior in the 41st minute did not not seen by match officials at the time, but it was caught on camera and he later admitted it was violent behavior.
“Chris Martin also accepted the standard three-match penalty, but he will be suspended for four matches after being sent off earlier this season.”
Martin’s first red of the campaign came via two yellow cards issued in the 2-0 home defeat to Fleetwood Town in February.
Rovers, who lost 2-0 at home to Peterborough without Martin on Saturday, remain 15th with just one game remaining.
Cambridge, meanwhile, are four places below after two defeats in a week and are just five points clear of Cheltenham in the final relegation spot.
