Chester FC captain Luke George has been hit with a six-game ban.

The 24-year-old was charged with violent conduct by the FA following an incident in the Blues' National League opener at Gateshead in August.

George, who vehemently denied the charge, was initially banned for eight matches. However, his punishment was reduced to six following an appeal as the Blues fought through what they described as a 'complicated process' to try to clear their player's name.

The exact nature of the alleged incident has not been revealed by the club or the FA, but The Chronicle understands he was accused of biting an opponent.

It means George, who served the first game of his ban last night as Chester drew 0-0 at Macclesfield, will be suspended until the end of November.

A club statement 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."

The incident related to a 23rd-minute clash between George and an opponent in Chester's 3-0 loss to Gateshead at the International Stadium on Saturday, August 6.