FA keep ban for Chelsea's Hazard at three games

ESPN has reported that the FA has elected not to increase Eden Hazard’s suspension for the red card he picked up in Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg on January 23.

The Belgian (pictured) was dismissed for the controversial incident with a ballboy against Swansea City, when, attempting to retrieve the ball in the Blues’ desperation to score, he kicked 17-year-old Charlie Morgan.

The FA were said to be considering handing Hazard a lengthy suspension having charged him last week for violent conduct.

However, they decided that the punishment for the former Lille playmaker was sufficient enough.

The FA’s statement read: “Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will not have his standard three-match sanction for violent conduct increased.

“Following a hearing earlier today (Thursday, 31 January 2013), an independent regulatory commission was of the opinion the existing three-match sanction for this offence was sufficient.”

As a result of this outcome, Hazard was suspended for the European champion’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday which ended in a 3-2 defeat, but he will be available for Wigan’s visit to Stamford Bridge next week.

He had already sat out the two draws earlier in the week, in the FA Cup at Brentford and in the Premier League at Reading on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old has made 22 Premier League appearances so far this season, scoring six goals.


By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

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