Chelsea contest FA move to increase Hazard's suspension

Jan 30, 2013 9:20:00 PM

The Premier League side have accepted the red card and automatic three-match ban but will fight to block any attempts to have an extra game added by the governing body

By Chris Myson

Chelsea are attempting to block the Football Association's attempts to increase Eden Hazard's suspension for kicking out at a ballboy to four games.

The Belgium international was sent off in the second leg of the Blues' Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea City as tried to retrieve the ball from Charlie Morgan, who was lying on top of it in an apparent attempt to waste time.

The club have accepted the red card and the automatic three-match ban that comes with a sending-off but the FA has confirmed to Goal.com that they are contesting a move to extend the ban.

English football's governing body added that the relevant hearings will take place "in due course".

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9/2	Chelsea are 9/2 with Coral to win the 2012-13 FA Cup

The FA alleged that the three-match ban for Hazard is "clearly insufficient" and is attempting to increase the suspension to four games.

The ex-Lille star has already missed the FA Cup draw against Brentford and will be absent for the Premier League games against Reading and Newcastle.

If his ban is increased, Hazard will also be unavailable for the match against Wigan on February 9, although Chelsea are attempting to make sure that does not happen.

The Belgian personally apologised to Morgan after the controversial clash at the Liberty Stadium, which saw the Swans progress to the final against Bradford City with a 2-0 aggregate win.