Bastian Schweinsteiger has been slapped with a three-match ban by the FA over his clash with Winston Reid during Manchester United's draw against West Ham.

The matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees who each reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they considered it a sending-off offence.

The panel were unanimous in their violent conduct verdict after the German accepted the charge.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been banned for three matches after his clash with West Ham's Winston Reid

Germany captain Schweinsteiger was involved in an altercation with the defender at Old Trafford

The 31-year-old appeared to move his arm towards Reid's face as the pair jostled for space in the box

The incident happened just before half-time when Schweinsteiger appeared to thrust his forearm into Reid's face as they jostled at a corner. Referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to both players but took no further action.

However, after establishing that Clattenburg did not see the incident, the FA were able to charge Schweinsteiger on Monday.

Reid later claimed that the Germany star should have been sent off, saying: 'It was a red card. He knows what he's done – he's elbowed me in the face. The referee couldn't see it, so we move on.'

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic claimed that it was 'a big-time red card', but accepted that Clattenburg was unsighted.

'It was a moment of madness and he deserved to be sent off, but it's impossible for the ref to see everything,' said Bilic. 'No matter how many referees you have, sometimes they can't see.

'I'm sure if he did see it, it would have been a straight red. Of course we are disappointed but it happens. He just didn't see it.

'I saw it on the replays at half-time. It was a red, a big-time red. I understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can't blame the referee.'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said he did not see the incident with midfielder Schweinsteiger

United boss Louis van Gaal claimed that he too did not see the incident, but believes there were other situations where West Ham players could have been punished.

He said: 'Maybe you saw other things that happened when (Anthony) Martial was falling down and that kind of questions. You can also ask that. These questions I think are stupid. I am sitting on the bench in a minor position as you.