Oakland Raiders' Lynch suspended one game for pushing official

[October 21, 2017]    (Reuters) - Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch has been suspended for one game after pushing an official and grabbing his jersey during their home win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL said in a statement on Friday.

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) in an altercation with the referees during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Coliseum, October 19, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Lynch ran from the sideline and onto the field during the second quarter after Raiders quarterback Derek Carr took a hit from Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters at the end of a play.

After pushing the official, Lynch was ejected from the game and will have to sit out next Sunday's matchup against Buffalo unless he successfully appeals the league's decision.

Lynch has three business days to file an appeal.

"You made deliberate physical contact with one of our game officials as he was diffusing an active confrontation between players," Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of Football Operations, said in a letter to Lynch.

A Super Bowl champion in the 2013/14 season with the Seattle Seahawks, Lynch joined the Raiders this year after a brief retirement following the 2015 season.

Despite improving their record to 3-4 with Thursday's win, both the Raiders and Lynch have struggled this season amid high expectations for the team, who lost the AFC Wild Card game last season.

Following his ejection on Thursday, fans posted photos of the Oakland native with his face covered watching the second half from the stands and riding public transportation after the game.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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