Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard will not have his three-match ban increased

Eden Hazard: Chelsea midfielder's ban will not be increased

The Football Association has confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard will not have his three-match ban for violent conduct increased.

The 22-year-old Belgium international was sent off for kicking out at 17-year-old ballboy Charlie Morgan as he attempted to retrieve the ball during the Blues' 0-0 Capital One Cup draw with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium last Wednesday.

It had been suggested that the FA was considering extending the standard three-game suspension, but the governing body has now stated that will not happen.

A statement read: "Chelsea player Eden Hazard will not have his standard three-match sanction for violent conduct increased.

"Following a hearing, an independent regulatory commission was of the opinion the existing three-match sanction for this offence was sufficient."

Chelsea were ready to oppose any move by the FA to increase the ban and interim manager Rafa Benitez said last weekend that he felt a three-match ban was sufficient.

The basis of Chelsea's argument was that Hazard moved quickly to apologise to Morgan after the incident.

The club are also thought to have pointed out that Swindon's Matt Ritchie was only booked for grappling with Oxford United ballboy Aidan Hawtin in a similar incident last year.

Hazard has so far missed the 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup and Wednesday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Reading.

He will also sit out Saturday's trip to Newcastle but will be available again for the home game against Wigan on Saturday 9 February.