The Daily Mail are reporting this morning that Chelseaβs Florent Malouda could face a potential three-match ban, with the referee in Saturday’s clash with Everton set to review a fracas with Phil Neville.
Malouda appeared to slap the Everton skipper around the face after Neville had challenged the Frenchman from behind. Referee Lee Probert awarded a free-kick in favour of Chelsea but, according the report, the FA have requested him to examine the incident.
Although dismissed by Neville at the time, Everton boss David Moyes was apparently incensed and past comment on the events in his post-match interviewβ¦
“Phil could quite easily have stayed down and held his face but he didnβt.”
The Mail also suggest that Probert will be taking another look at Branislav Ivanovicβs βtackleβ on Seamus Coleman β Ivanovic is already one booking away from a one-match suspension. He, like Malouda, could face a violent conduct charge which would carry a three-match ban; the Mail concludes however, that it’s Malouda who is at most risk.
Chelsea face Tottenham, United and Arsenal in the next three league matches β any ban for Malouda, who has arguably been their best performer this season β would come as a huge blow for Carlo Ancelottiβs men.
This is all unconfirmed of course, but should Malouda face a ban then it would surely prove to be the final straw for his remaining owners, which still adds up to over 37% of FPL Managers. Malouda has suffered from Chelseaβs recent slump and his Fantasy returns have badly faltered having started the season with a devastating burst of 6 goals in the opening 5 league games. The midfielder has gone 7 starts without a goal, with just a single assist and 2 Bonus Points to his name in that spell.
