Marcos Alonso will miss Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Sunday after being found guilty by the FA of violent conduct.
The left wing-back has been banned for three games for stamping on the back of Shane Long’s leg in the League win at Southampton last week.
Referee Mike Dean missed the incident but the FA felt it warranted investigation after studying video footage.
Alonso was charged on Tuesday and had until 6pm last night to decide whether to appeal. Surprisingly, the Spain international contested the decision, but an independent regulatory commission agreed with the FA’s assessment.
Alonso will miss Thursday's Premier League game at Burnley, the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and the trip to Swansea the following Saturday.
Coach Antonio Conte has already revealed that January signing Emerson Palmieri will start in Alonso’s position this evening.
Palmieri has played just 105 minutes since joining from Roma for an initial £17.5million.
In Pictures | Southampton vs Chelsea | 14/04/2018
It will be his first Premier League start but even if he impresses at Turf Moor it is unlikely he will face Southampton.
Conte is expected to play right wing-back Davide Zappacosta out of position on the opposite flank.
It is something the Chelsea boss has tried this term with mixed results as Chelsea drew 1-1 against Atletico Madrid, lost 4-1 at Watford and won 3-0 against West Brom.
In a statement the FA said: “Marcos Alonso will miss Chelsea’s next three matches. He denied the charge and further submitted that if found proven the suspension would be excessive, however, this was rejected following Wednesday’s hearing.”
