Eden Hazard: Chelsea contest FA decision on ball boy ban

Chelsea have written to the Football Association contesting its attempt to extend Eden Hazard's suspension for kicking out at a Swansea ball boy.

The Belgium midfielder, 22, faces a three-match ban for his dismissal, but the FA alleges the standard punishment is "clearly insufficient".

Chelsea argue a further game would be excessive and will discover this week whether their challenge has succeeded.

They are then entitled to accept or appeal against the FA's ruling.

The Blues had no complaints about the red card and automatic ban, but are adamant no further action should follow.

Hazard missed Saturday's 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round and will not be available for the Premier League games against Reading on Wednesday and Newcastle on Saturday.

If an extra match is added to his suspension, he would be ruled out of the visit of Wigan on 9 February.

Hazard was sent off in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg on 23 January after an incident with Charlie Morgan, 17.

He was trying to retrieve the ball from under the ball boy, who had fallen on top of it, in the 78th minute at the Liberty Stadium.

The scoreline was 0-0 at the time, with Chelsea needing at least two goals to take the match into extra time. The game ended 0-0 with the Swans going through 2-0 on aggregate.

Hazard apologised to the ball boy afterwards, but the FA disciplinary unit deemed his actions worthy of greater punishment.

The governing body is thought to be pushing for one more game - it has the power to go higher but that is believed to be unlikely.

South Wales Police will be taking no further action despite receiving "a number of calls from members of the public" following the incident.

Officers spoke to both Hazard and Morgan - in the presence of his father - after the game.

"We can confirm there is no longer any police involvement in this matter," said a spokesman.