As Chelsea came from two goals down to rescue a brilliant 3-2 win against Southampton in Saturday’s early kick-off, one of the main talking points was a challenge from Marcos Alonso on Shane Long that many deemed he should have been sent off for.
After referee Mike Dean failed to punish the former Bolton wing-back, the FA have taken matters into their own hands with the retrospective action of a three-game ban. He has until Wednesday to appeal that decision but with the nature of the tackle, it would be highly surprising and would probably earn him an extra game onto the ban for his troubles.
Alonso would miss the FA Cup semi-final clash against the Saints, which takes place on Sunday, as well as Premier League meetings with Burnley and Swansea either side of the Blues’ Wembley visit. In the case of a failed appeal, a home match with Liverpool would be added to the list.
The lack of a card for the Spaniard sparked uproar at the weekend, especially because Mike Dean didn’t spot the infringement that appeared to be right under his nose. Southampton boss and former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes felt Alonso should have been sent for an early bath in an event that would’ve left the visitors with much more to do.
It will be a blow for the champions if they are to head to Wembley without their first-choice left wing-back but with Emerson Palmieri chomping at the bit to slot straight in, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for last year’s finalists.
It would have been a huge shock if Marcos Alonso’s dangerous tackle had gone unpunished after being extensively reviewed by the FA. It would be equally ludicrous for the 27-year-old to appeal that decision as the risk of an extra game outweighs the chance of it being rescinded.
