Prutton handed 10-match suspension
 |  Prutton (right) has apologized for his behavior following his dismissal |
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LONDON, England -- Southampton midfielder David Prutton has been banned for 10 matches after admitting two charges of improper conduct following his red card against Arsenal last weekend.
Prutton was charged by the English FA with failing to leave the pitch promptly, pushing the referee and using threatening words and/or behaviour in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw.
Prutton, who has already apologized for his behavior, was also fined £6,000 by the FA's disciplinary board.
"It is a hefty ban but I put myself in that position by doing what I did and now I have to face the consequences," said Prutton.
"I regretted it as soon as I had done it. I sat in the dressing-room and realised I had let down my team mates, my manager and myself.
"I portrayed an image that is not me and I hope people watching football will not follow it," he added.
The suspension effectively rules Prutton out for the rest of the season. Southampton have 10 Premier League matches left and have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old joined Southampton from Nottingham Forest for £2.5 million in 2003. His ban is only one match less than the one handed to Sheffield Wednesday's Italian forward Paolo Di Canio for pushing the referee to the ground during a match six years ago.
Southampton are 18th in the 20-team Premier League standings, four points adrift of safety from the relegation places.
