Chelsea [ Images ] midfielder Michael Essien [ Images ] was banned for two Champions League [ Images ] matches by UEFA [ Images ] on Thursday for a studs-up tackle on Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann.

The ban will rule the 23-year-old Ghana midfielder out of both legs of Chelsea's Champions League last-16 tie, to be played on February 21/22 and March 7/8.

Essien was charged with "gross unsporting conduct" for the challenge on the Germany [ Images ] midfielder during a Champions League match at Stamford Bridge [ Images ] on December 6, it was announced on UEFA's website.

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Essien, who subsequently apologised to Hamann, escaped punishment on the night for the tackle, which Hamann described as the worst he had ever suffered.

UEFA announced the ban after a meeting of its control and disciplinary body on Thursday, when Essien's plea for mitigation and his previous unblemished disciplinary record were taken into account.