Alonso in dock over ‘stamp’
CHELSEA’S Marcos Alonso has been charged with violent conduct by the FA.
The left wing-back appeared to stand on the back of Southampton striker Shane Long’s leg during their league game on Saturday, but it went unpunished by referee Mike Dean.
The FA have since reviewed footage and sanctioned the Spaniard, who has until 6pm tonight to respond. Alonso faces a three-match ban if he accepts the charge which would rule him out of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with the Saints and league games with Burnley on Thursday and Swansea on April 28. The incident happened in the first half at St Mary’s when Chelsea were trailing but Dean did not even book Alonso and Antonio Conte’s men went on to win 3-2. The FA said: “Off-theball incidents which are not seen at the time are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials. Each panel member will review the video footage to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.
“For retrospective action, and an FA charge, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.” LIVERPOOL midfielder Adam Lallana has travelled to South Africa to receive specialist treatment in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
The Sports Science Institute in Cape Town was selected by the club’s medical department to aid the return to fitness of the England international, right, who has made just three starts in 14 matches this season.