Marcos Alonso Charged with Violent Conduct by FA After Shane Long Incident

Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following his stamp on Southampton forward Shane Long on Saturday.

Sky Sports News relayed the decision and noted the Spanish defender has time to appeal:

Should Alonso's charge go through, he's set to receive a three-game ban and would subsequently miss Sunday's FA Cup semi-final, which is also against Southampton.

The Blues will also play Burnley in the Premier League on Thursday.

The tackle occurred in the first period of the match, when Southampton were well on top of Antonio Conte's side and leading 1-0.

Alonso appeared to aim a kick high on the back of Long's leg, prompting the striker to crumble in pain and a number of Saints players to react angrily.

As noted by Liam Twomey of ESPN FC, Southampton manager Mark Hughes made his feelings on the challenge clear:

Although the decision to retrospectively punish Alonso may benefit Saints at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, it's done little to aid their unlikely quest to stay in the Premier League.

They actually went 2-0 up in this fixture before Chelsea launched a remarkable late comeback. Olivier Giroud scored twice either side of Eden Hazard to give the Blues a morale-boosting win and leave Saints five points adrift of safety.

As football writer Karl Matchett added after the game, Alonso was involved in all three of Chelsea's goals that afternoon:

Should Alonso receive a ban, then he will be a big miss for Chelsea. The 27-year-old has been one of the team's most consistent performers in an otherwise difficult season, raiding down the left flank relentlessly and putting dangerous crosses into the box.

In reserve, the Blues have January signing Emerson to call upon, although the former Roma man has yet to start a game since arriving. Davide Zappacosta could also do a job on that flank, but Chelsea would undoubtedly be weaker in any games Alonso sits out.