READING FC duo Paul McShane and Danny Williams have been banned for three matches after accepting an FA charge of violent misconduct, writes Anthony Smith.

The charge related to their ugly bust-up at Riverside on Tuesday night during Royals' 2-1 defeat to Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

The pair were involved in an off-the-ball physical confrontation that referee Scott Duncan and his assistants failed to spot at the time.

However, the incident was caught on video and McShane and Williams were retrospectively charged by a panel of former referees.

They had until 6pm tonight to respond, but have already decided to accept the charges.

It means skipper McShane and midfielder Williams will be suspended for Reading's trip to Leeds United tomorrow (3pm ko) along with Tuesday night's home game against Hull City and away fixture at Queen's Park Rangers.

Both players have already been fined and disciplined by Royals boss Brian McDermott.

They have also patched up any difference and insists they are keen to move on and put the incident behind them.

McShane said: “As I said to the press yesterday, it was two passionate people in a coming together with a disagreement that lasted just a few seconds towards the end of a match both Danny and I desperately wanted to win.

“We went to ‘lock horns’ but the slow motion replays make it look much worse that it was.

“However, I fully appreciate that, as footballers, we have a responsibility to demonstrate our passion and determination in the way we play our football on the pitch and I am sorry that it spilled over like it did.

“It shouldn’t have happened and it won’t again. I have apologised to my teammates and I’d also like to take this opportunity to apologise to our supporters.”

Williams added: “I would like to say sorry to the manager, my teammates, the club and most importantly all of our supporters for a heat of the moment incident that happened late in the game on Tuesday night.

“Everyone who sees me on the pitch will know I am a man who plays his football with pride and passion and who will do everything he can to win three points for his team.

“But on this occasion, this wasn’t the right reaction and although Macca and I apologised to each other after the final whistle.

“We both know we have let down our fans.”

The pair's absence leaves McDermott short of cover in defence with Anton Ferdinand likely to replace McShane at centre-back, while full-backs Jordan Obita (hamstring) and Chris Gunter (groin) already ruled out of Saturday's trip to Elland Road.