David Prutton was last night given a 10-match ban for shoving the referee Alan Wiley during last Saturday's match against Arsenal. The suspension, which was accompanied by a £6,000 fine, is the biggest served on a Premiership player for an assault on a match official.

Prutton admitted two counts of improper conduct for laying hands on Wiley in an attempt to reach the assistant referee Paul Norman, who had recommended a second booking for a studs-up tackle on Robert Pires. The Southampton midfielder had admitted his guilt but the Football Association was keen to ensure the strongest possible message was delivered following such a high-profile incident.

Last night Mick McGuire, the Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive, said: "The punishment was extremely harsh, particularly when one considers there was clearly no intent for the player to push the referee. However, tempered with that is the understanding that it is a difficult call for the commission, who clearly felt the need to send a strong message on what is really a very sensitive area.

"We cannot, though, condone players laying their hands on match officials, and therefore can understand the severity of the sanction."

Prutton, who had apologised profusely to all involved, said: "It is a hefty ban but I put myself in that position and I have to face the consequences." The midfielder was charged with failure to leave the field promptly and of using threatening words and/or behaviour towards a match official. "I regretted it as soon as I had done it," he added. "I sat in the dressing room and realised I had let down my team-mates, my manager and myself. I hope people watching will not follow it."

The 23-year-old's action, in fact, led to a total suspension for 11 matches, one of which was for the two bookings he received in the Arsenal match. He served that during the FA Cup replay against Brentford on Tuesday but Southampton's win means he will be available at least for his side's last Premiership fixture of the season, against Manchester United. Depending on how they progress in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final against United on March 12 the next obstacle, Prutton may also be clear to face Crystal Palace and Norwich.

His suspension eclipses that handed to Paolo Di Canio in 1998. The Italian was given an eight-match ban for shoving the referee Paul Alcock, plus three for his red card. Frank Sinclair was given a nine-match ban in 1992, also for an assault on Alcock, with David Batty banned for six matches for a push on David Elleray seven years ago.