Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso has been handed a three-match ban for violent conduct, officially ruling him out of this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.
maxbet Ironically, it was in Chelsea’s 3-2 league victory over Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium last weekend where Alonso was punished for a reckless challenge on Saints forward Shane Long.
Referee Mike Dean failed to see the incident, meaning the Football Association were able to review the challenge and decide a necessary punishment.
Alonso did appeal the decision but failed to have it overturned, and now the Spanish international must sit out of Chelsea’s next three fixtures, including the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this Sunday.
Chelsea managed to turn over a 2-0 deficit, claiming victory at Southampton, while an expert assist from Alonso provided Olivier Giroud with his first league goal in Chelsea colours, keeping their faint hopes of a Champions League finish alive.
He was also the only Blues player to be voted in the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ team of the year.
However, his punishment for standing on the back of Long’s calf has spoiled an otherwise fantastic week for the Spaniard.