Chelsea will be without Marcos Alonso for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton after he was hit with a three-match ban.
Alonso was deemed to be guilty of violent conduct after planting his left boot into Shane Long’s right leg during last Saturday’s Premier League meeting between the Saints and Chelsea.
Spaniard Alonso will also be unavailable for Chelsea’s next two league matches — against Burnley and Swansea.
An FA statement reads: “Marcos Alonso will miss Chelsea’s next three matches after an Independent Regulatory Commission ruled he had committed an act of violent conduct against Southampton’s Shane Long.
“Alonso denied the charge and further submitted that if found proven the suspension would be excessive, however, this was rejected following Wednesday’s hearing.
“The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred in the 43rd minute of Saturday’s game.”