Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic risks extended Football Association ban
Branislav Ivanovic has risked an extended FA ban in the hope of being available for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against T*ttenham by appealing his violent conduct charge.
The charge was issued in respect of an alleged off-the-ball punch on Shaun Maloney during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Wigan on Saturday. Ivanovic will accept that there was contact with Maloney, but will argue that the collision did not amount to violent conduct.
His hearing will be heard by an FA independent regulatory commission today and there are three possible outcomes.
The charge could be dismissed, meaning Ivanovic will be free to face T*ttenham H*tspur in the second FA Cup semi-final on Sunday at Wembley.
Alternatively, if the charge is upheld, he could get a three-game ban that would include Sunday’s match as well as the Premier League games with Arsenal and QPR.
The worst-case scenario for Chelsea is that his appeal is deemed “frivolous” and the ban is increased by a game to include the crucial fixture with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.