Chelsea Defender Ivanovic Could Face A Three Match Ban

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic could be in trouble with the Football Association, following an off-the-ball incident in the 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, which could result in a violent conduct charge and a potential three-match ban.



It's understood that the FA have been made aware of a video which appears to show Ivanovic punching Wigan's attacking midfielder Shaun Maloney in the kidneys, just moments before Juan Mata scored to give the home side victory.

The FA will ask referee Mike Jones whether he and his assistants saw the incident, and then review the footage, before deciding whether to charge Ivanovic.

Should the Serbian international - who opened the scoring despite clearly being in an offside position - be found guilty of violent conduct, it could mean a three-match ban, potentially ruling him out of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Ivanovic will be available for Roberto Di Matteo's side in this evening's west London derby against Martin Jol's Fulham.