Chelsea's Serbian international defender Branislav Ivanovic appealed on Wednesday against a charge of violent conduct by the Football Association (FA) which occurred during last Saturday's Premier League victory over struggling Wigan.
The 28-year-old - who scored the opener for Chelsea when he was yards offside -was caught on video appearing to strike Wigan midfielder Shaun Maloney in the stomach moments before Juan Mata's winner in Chelsea's controversial 2-1 win.
Although the referee and his assistants did not see it, the FA decided to take action after viewing the evidence and an FA Regulatory Commission will hear the case on Thursday based on video evidence and written submissions.
It is understood Ivanovic accepts there was contact, but denies it was violent.
Source: AFP
