Chelsea's Eden Hazard is facing an extended ban for kicking out at a ball-boy after the FA charged him over his midweek sending-off at Swansea.
Belgian playmaker Hazard was already set to serve an automatic three-match suspension for his red card in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at the Liberty Stadium.
But the FA deemed that "insufficient" punishment for the offence, prompting an additional charge this afternoon.
An FA statement read: "The FA has charged Chelsea's Eden Hazard following his side's League Cup semi-final at Swansea on January 23, 2013.
"It is alleged that Hazard's behaviour in relation to a Swansea ball-boy, for which the player was dismissed in the 78th minute, constituted violent conduct whereby the standard punishment that would otherwise apply was clearly insufficient.
"The player has until 6pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 to respond to the charge.
"The FA will remind all clubs of their responsibilities in ensuring ball-boys and other personnel around the pitch act in an appropriate manner at all times and will liaise with competitions accordingly."
what do you think?
Andy Roe
Drop this ridiculous case, and charge the ball boy with being an idiot.
Michael Hawkins
And fine Swansea for the ball boys actions
Paul Gilbert
Yes much more serious the actions of the ballboy than Hazard - if we are charging idiots then there will be a lot of the people who left comments here charged
Gav Smith
He shud of stood back and complained to ref. Got the ref to add on time. Ftustration is no excuse for violence. Medua would b going mental if it was saurez. Minimum 8 game ban i reckon
Steven Marshall
FA are a joke...as usual.......in their statement they said club ball boys should act in a appropiate manner.....so where did they get this verdict from. A christmas cracker like all there other decisions. We are being laughed at FA. get a grip on reality
Martin Massey
It would never have been suarez he would of used his hand accidently of course.
Paul Gilbert
still all about the ballboy
John Roberts
Hope Hazard gets a big lengthy ban as there is no place in sport for that kind of behaviour . Trouble is they ( footballers ) they get paid far to much . Take their wages off them for 6 months and let them see the funny side then . Especially the way Hazard was smirking after he kick the ball boy
Greg Robinson
I'm not a chelsea fan but got to say this is a joke.yes it was wrong,but let's draw a line under it,3 match ban for red card,fair enough, but further punishments out of order
johnnydee23
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Ciaran Mulholland
4:59pm on 25/1/2013
Too True! He should get at least two months. Cantona got 8 remember. If it was Luis Suarez he would probabll be deported!