MANAGER Eddie Howe has expressed his dismay at the Football Association’s decision to ban Cherries midfielder Harry Arter.

The midfielder has been hit with an immediate one-match suspension and fined £2,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct.

Arter, who recently served a two-match ban for totting-up 10 bookings, will miss the visit of Championship strugglers Blackpool to Dean Court on Saturday.

The charge was in relation to Arter’s language and/or behaviour in or around the tunnel area following Cherries' 3-1 defeat at Brentford last month.

Arter, who served the first of his two-match ban against the Bees, is understood to have spoken out of turn to referee Mike Dean, a Premier League official.

And although it is believed he immediately attempted to say sorry for his actions, it is understood the official refused to accept his apology.

Cherries boss Howe told the club website: “We are very disappointed by the decision and feel that Harry has been harshly treated on this occasion. However, we must now accept the punishment and move on.”

Referee Dean incurred the wrath of Howe following the game and said his decision not to award Cherries a penalty at Griffin Park had come as “no surprise”.

Cherries’ promotion push suffered a dent as they were beaten in a incident-packed clash, which included a contentious verdict over half-time substitute Ryan Fraser’s tumble.

Having already booked Yann Kermorgant for a perceived dive in the first half, Dean cautioned Fraser after the livewire Scot had gone down in the box with the score at 2-1, having appeared to have been clipped by defender Tony Craig. However, the Wirral-based official opted to award a free-kick in the Bees’ favour.

At the time, Howe told the Daily Echo: “For me, it was a clear-cut penalty. There was no doubt in my mind that Ryan had his legs taken just as he was about to shoot. There was definite contact.

“I was really disappointed the referee reacted in the manner he did and it was no surprise on the day because I felt we got the rough edges of the decisions.

“I don’t think the referee was very good for us. For such an experienced official, he didn’t have a great game.”

Arter has been booked 52 times and sent off twice in 173 appearances for Cherries, although his disciplinary record has improved markedly since he stepped into the Championship.

He told the Daily Echo: "I was in the tunnel after the game and was with the manager at the time. We were both shocked that the incident was reported. I was speaking to the referee in a calm manner. I don't know whether he got me mixed up with someone else who may have been shouting at him.

"The manager was my witness and backed me and we were quite surprised I received a ban and a fine. We were both disappointed with the outcome but I am glad I've got the manager's backing. That is the most important thing to me. We have to accept it and move on."