Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has hit out at the "inconsistency" of the Football Association in relation to Ibrahim Afellay's recent suspension after the ban imposed on Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista was rescinded on Tuesday.

Afellay served a two-match ban after flicking Craig Gardner in the face during the Potters' 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last month.

Yesterday, the FA scrapped the red card issued to Gabriel, who was sent off by referee Mike Dean for kicking out at Chelsea striker Diego Costa during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

"The FA leaves us scratching our head with the sanction [Afellay] was given," The Sentinel quotes Hughes as saying. "Then somebody who kicks somebody else, and the ref sees it, gets their ban wiped out. The inconsistency is there for everyone to see."

Afellay returned to Stoke's lineup for last night's 1-0 win over Fulham in the third round of the Capital One Cup.