The Football Association has released written reasons for Chester FC captain Luke George's lengthy ban.
George was charged by the FA with violent conduct following an incident in Chester's Vanarama National League opener at Gateshead on August 6.
The 24-year-old denied the charge.
But a Football Association Independent Regulatory Commission ruled that George, 'on the balance of probability', had bitten Gateshead striker Reece Styche on the thigh during the match.
The Blues midfielder was subsequently handed an eight-game suspension which was reduced to six on appeal.
The independent regulatory commission's written reasons for the punishment have now been published on the FA's website.
George did not request an opportunity to attend a personal hearing, understanding the charges would be dealt with at a paper hearing.
The commission panel were provided with evidence including an extraordinary report from match referee Peter Wright, letters, statements, photographs, and video clips of the incident.
The panel 'watched the video footage on numerous occasions' and felt 'the instant reaction of Mr Styche in going to the referee to show his thigh even whilst play was still in progress demonstrated on the balance of probabilities that an incident had occurred'.
Written submissions from Styche were 'consistent with the video footage and his evidence was deemed to be both credible and reliable'.
The commission's report adds that 'Styche remained consistent in his complaint during the game and after it and in his subsequent written statement of evidence. Furthermore, the match referee confirms in his extraordinary incident report form that, although acknowledging he didn't witness the alleged incident, Mr Styche approached him in or around the 23rd minute of the match claiming he had been bitten and showed him his upper leg which appeared to be reddening'.
The report also states that George's 'written statement was inconsistent with the video footage, and unfortunately, as with all the written evidence, this could not be tested via cross examination due to the request for a paper hearing'.
Having considered all of the evidence, the panel were unanimous that, 'on the balance of probability', George had bitten Styche on his upper thigh during their tussle. The charge, therefore, was deemed by the commission to have been proven.
George was banned for eight games, fined £500 and warned as to his future behaviour.
But the ban was reduced to six matches after a successful appeal from Chester.
A Blues statement after the appeal read: "Chester FC has co-operated fully with the FA during an investigation, hearing and subsequently successful appeal following an allegation made against club captain, Luke George. This was a very complicated process but essentially – despite the success of our appeal – Luke still received a ban for violent conduct.
"Chester FC is a community club and will at all times protect the principles associated with that status and so from the very beginning we carefully studied all of the available evidence before deciding as a board to fully support Luke in his defence of the charge and the appeal.
"We are disappointed with the outcome but respect the process. We will continue to support Luke George who has conducted himself appropriately throughout this difficult time. We are proud to have him as our club captain."
George has served two games of his suspension. He will be free to return to first-team action for the visit of North Ferriby United on November 29.
