Martin Skrtel 'not guilty' about challenge on David De Gea which warranted three-match ban by FA, saying: 'It was an accident'

And he will face no further punishment for clown picture

Martin Skrtel comes together with David De Gea (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has insisted that he "does not feel guilty" about the challenge on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea which resulted in his three-match ban by the FA, which he failed to overturn yesterday,

Skrtel posted a picture of three clowns on his Instagram page after the verdict was announced yesterday, which has been widely viewed as his comment on those who sat on the panel and decided the outcome of the hearing, but it is understood he will face no further punishment.

The Slovakia international, currently away preparing for a Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Luxembourg on Friday, failed in his appeal against a violent conduct charge.

Skrtel had argued the action of standing on De Gea's right shin as he chased a through-ball in the final seconds of Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Anfield was unintentional but an independent panel disagreed with him.

What Martin Skrtel posted on Instagram yesterday (instagram.com/martin37skrtel/)

The 30-year-old has continued to profess his innocence even after his ban was confirmed, meaning he misses Premier League matches against Arsenal and Newcastle, plus an FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn.

"It feels strange because we appealed against those charges and still I was hit by a three-match ban," he told his personal website martin-skrtel.com.

"I didn't want to stamp on him. It was an accident and I didn't do it on purpose. I don't feel guilty.

"It was a long ball and he went towards me and I wanted to jump over him. Simple as that."

Skrtel will be joined on the sidelines by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who will also serve a similar three-match ban after his moment of madness saw him sent off less than a minute after coming on as a substitute for the second half after stamping on United midfielder Ander Herrera.

Additional reporting by PA