Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele has been handed a six game ban for his eye gouge on Diego Costa.

The Belgian has been charged with violent conduct by the FA after replays showed him to scrape his fingers down the Chelsea star's face during a touchline bust up in the first half.

Wembley chiefs believe the offence warrants a greater punishment than the standard three-match ban for violent conduct charges and the suspension comes in with immediate effect.

Mousa Dembele (left) appears to make contact with the eye of Diego Costa during an ill-tempered game

The 28-year-old has been banned for six games and will serve the suspension with immediate effect

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Dembele had until 6pm on Thursday to respond but he did not contest the charge, head coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday afternoon.

An FA statement on Friday afternoon said: 'Mousa Dembele will serve a six-match suspension with immediate effect after he committed an act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

'The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder accepted the charge but denied The FA’s claim that the standard punishment of three matches which would otherwise apply to this offence was clearly insufficient.

'An Independent Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim at a hearing today [Friday 6 May 2016] and ordered that an additional three match suspension was appropriate.

'The player was involved in an incident with Chelsea’s Diego Costa in or around the 45th minute of the fixture at Stamford Bridge on Monday [2 May 2016].'

Dembele was not punished for his actions during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

The Belgium international has been handed a lengthy ban from the FA after the incident went unpunished

Spurs are second in the Premier League table

Tottenham have no right to appeal the decision.

The suspension of six games is a severe blow for manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is looking to build upon the momentum of Tottenham's title challenge for next season.

The 28-year-old Dembele has been an essential component of the Tottenham side, playing 36 times in all competitions and netting five goals.

Tottenham host Pochettino's former club Southampton at White Hart Lane on Sunday, looking to secure second place in the Premier League table.