Jonjo Shelvey: Newcastle player faces potential five-game ban after FA charge

Shelvey has played 19 times for Newcastle this season

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey faces a potential five-game ban after being charged by the Football Association for allegedly abusing, in racial terms, Wolves' Romain Saiss.

The FA has charged Shelvey with using abusive language about an opponent's race, ethnicity or nationality.

The incident occurred in the 87th minute of Newcastle's 2-0 Championship defeat by Wolves on 17 September.

Morocco midfielder Saiss, 26, was making his debut for the club.

BBC Sport's Pat Murphy says the matter was brought to referee Tim Robinson's attention by one of Saiss' Wolves team-mates straight after the match ended.

Murphy added: "Saiss' grasp of English is limited having played in France recently, where he was born, and this could complicate the issue. He is now taking English lessons."

Saiss has made eight appearances for Wolves since signing from French club Angers

The FA says the misdemeanour was an "aggravated breach" of rules, and if found guilty 24-year-old Shelvey faces a minimum five-game ban.

He has until 16 November to respond.

Newcastle had Netherlands midfielder Vurnon Anita sent off in the same minute of the game.

If found guilty Shelvey will miss, at a minimum, a trip to Leeds on 20 November, a home match with Blackburn, the EFL Cup trip to Hull City, an away fixture at Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City's visit to St James' Park on 10 December.

In May 2013, the FA introduced new guidelines stating that any player found guilty of racially abusing an opponent or discriminating on religion, sexuality or disability, would be banned for at least five games.

Chelsea's John Terry was handed a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, while Liverpool's Luis Suarez received an eight-match suspension and a £40,000 fine for his abuse of Manchester United's Patrice Evra - both in 2011.

Newcastle sit top of the Championship, three points clear of Brighton, and Shelvey has been one of their stand-out performers, as well as contributing three goals in 16 league appearances.

Shelvey, who has won six caps for England, joined Newcastle from Swansea in January, but could not prevent the club's relegation to the Championship.