The Football Association have sanctioned Jhon Duran for acting improperly after being sent off for Aston Villa against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

Duran, 21, kicked a plastic water bottle while leaving the St James' Park pitch after being shown a straight red card for standing on Fabian Schar. The striker served a three-match suspension, missing two Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City, plus their FA Cup third round tie with West Ham United, after an appeal was unsuccessful.

Duran returned to the matchday squad for the midweek match away to Everton but remained an unused substitute as Ollie Watkins scored the only goal in Villa's win. Three weeks after the incident, the FA further punishes the Colombia international.

READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko to Newcastle United door opened by agent amid Jurgen Klopp transfer comments

READ MORE: Newcastle United braced for PSR rule change as £95m wishlist emerges

Duran has been fined £15,000 after admitting to acting improperly, accepting the conduct was unacceptable and apologising for it in a statement. A three-person independent regulatory commission made the decision.

Their written reasons for the decision explain: "The Commission discussed the incident and noted that the water bottle was kicked in frustration with some ferocity, causing it to travel a significant distance. The Commission noted that the fact that the bottle did not strike anybody appeared to be attributable to luck rather than judgement.

"The Commission noted that the incident happened in the aftermath of a controversial red card, whereby Match Officials were seemingly required to assess whether the actions of JD [Jhon Duran], in standing on an opponent, were intentional or otherwise."

On the sending-off itself, the written reasons acknowledge: "Whilst The Commission made no judgment as to whether or not the red card was warranted, The Commission noted that there existed a possibility that JD had not intended to step on his opponent in taking the action that caused the red card to be issued.

"The Commission took into account the fact that, if indeed this action was unintentional, the issuing of a red card would be a source of significant frustration. This would not excuse the action JD took, but would constitute a further mitigating factor if it were so.

The written reasons conclude: "The Commission debated for some time whether a sporting sanction for JD would be appropriate. Ultimately, The Commission determined that with all of the factors considered, a sporting sanction would be too severe. It was determined that a significant financial sanction would be more appropriate."