Burnley star James Tarkowski banned for three games - including Manchester United and Tottenham clashes - after accepting charge for elbowing Glenn Murray

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Burnley defender James Tarkowski will miss his side's next three matches after he accepted a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The highly-rated 25-year-old elbowed Brighton forward Glenn Murray in the 35th minute of their 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tarkowski and his club tried to argue that the three-game suspension was excessive but this was rejected by an independent regulatory commission.

James Tarkowski (top) was charged with violent conduct after an incident with Glenn Murray

The ban, which was confirmed by an FA statement, means Burnley will be without one of the league's best defenders so far this season for the visit of Tottenham on Saturday, and the trips to Manchester United on Boxing Day and Huddersfield on December 30.

Off-the-ball incidents not seen by the officials but picked up by the cameras are viewed by a three-strong panel of former elite referees. For a violent conduct charge to be issued, the panel must be unanimous.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Brighton boss Chris Hughton was in no doubt that the officials had missed some foul play.

'It's a penalty. I've seen the elbow afterwards and it's a definite elbow on Glenn in the box and it's in play, the throw-in has been taken,' said Hughton.

'Sometimes you can be critical of referees and sometimes not so.

'It's difficult to see, when it happens at that pace of the game.

Tarkowski has been hit with a three-game suspension and is unavailable until the new year

'I think for the referee (Chris Kavanagh) not to see it or a linesman not to see it, I can half understand that one but it's certainly a penalty.'

Murray said: 'I can't remember what happened. I felt something in my ribs, the referee didn't see it so whatever.'

Tarkowski had earlier been somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Murray for a penalty, which the former Crystal Palace striker smashed over the bar.

Sean Dyche believes the charge was harsh and urged the FA to crack down on diving first