CHELSEA DEFENDER Branislav Ivanovic has been charged with violent conduct by the English Football Association for an incident in the game against Wigan Athletic at the weekend, the FA said in a statement yesterday.

Television replays showed the Serbian international lashing out at Wigan’s Shaun Maloney in an off-the-ball incident unseen by the match officials during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Ivanovic faces a suspension if he is found guilty by the FA.

Chelsea have a hectic schedule of fixtures coming up in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup and losing the on-form right back would represent a major blow to the London club.