Liverpool youngster who punched Man United player handed ban by FA

Liverpool academy player Luca Furnell-Gill appeared to punch and elbow Manchester United forward Ethan Wheatley during an under-18s clash in January.

Footage emerged of the incident shortly afterwards. Furnell-Gill escaped punishment from the on-field referee but has since been sanctioned for his actions.

The Liverpool player aimed a punch towards Wheatley, who scored the first goal of the game in United’s 4-3 victory, midway through the second half as United were attacking with the ball.

It was not long later when the 17-year-old targeted the United goalscorer with an elbow off the ball.

The FA have since confirmed that Furnell-Gill is serving a five-match ban, according to the Mirror. He has missed Liverpool’s U18s last four fixtures.

It has also been reported by the Liverpool ECHO that their academy director Alex Inglethorpe contacted his United counterparts the morning afterwards to apologise for Furnell-Gill’s behaviour.

The youngster is also said to have expressed remorse for his actions.

Wheatley, meanwhile, remains an important part of United’s successful Under-18s side this season.

They remain top of the league table, with 15 wins and two draws, and have also reached the final of the Premier League Under-18s cup. The forward scored twice during the semi-final clash against Crystal Palace’s youth and has five in the competition.

Wheatley has scored in all but one of his league appearances for the Under-18s whilst he’s also made six appearance in the PL2 for the Under-21s.

Overall, the 18-year-old striker has 14 goals and three assists so far this term.