No ban for Bran

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Branislav Ivanovic is available for Chelsea's next match - against Wigan in the Premier League curtain-opener - despite his red card at Villa Park in Sunday's Community Shield clash.

The incident came as the first half between the Blues and Manchester City came to a close at Villa Park. Moments after Fernando Torres had expertly clipped the European champions ahead, Chelsea's number 2 was shown a straight red card by referee Kevin Friend for a late and aggressive two-footed tackle on fellow countryman Aleksandr Kolarov.

Yet FA sanctions dictate that any suspension received in a non-competitive match will not be carried over into official competitions, following an amendment to the rules in August 2009.

This reprieve does little to paper over the cracks of the Serb's woeful recent form, however. Consistently poor displays during pre-season as well as periodic episodes of petulance towards the close of the 2011/12 campaign have been enough to persuade Roberto di Matteo to look elsewhere for right-back options, with Olympique de Marseilles' Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta supposedly the top target.

Therefore Ivanovic will not serve a three-game ban, and he is available for selection against Wigan on Sunday afternoon.

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[Melanicus 5,208]

Good for him and for the team.

Hope he plays smarter and think with his brains from now on.

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

Good. It would have been unfair for us had he been banned. Anyway, what about all the other bookings our players received yesterday? Do they all not count as well?

[HNKS 508]

Good. It would have been unfair for us had he been banned. Anyway, what about all the other bookings our players received yesterday? Do they all not count as well?

Unfair how? Dont get me wrong Im relieved but it was a stupid challenge. Its a ridiculous rule, the community shield may not be the most prestigious trophy in the world but its one between the league winner and cup winner. The ban should stand. I suppose we are lucky we benefited from the FA's stupid rules for once.

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

Unfair how? Dont get me wrong Im relieved but it was a stupid challenge. Its a ridiculous rule, the community shield may not be the most prestigious trophy in the world but its one between the league winner and cup winner. The ban should stand. I suppose we are lucky we benefited from the FA's stupid rules for once.

Obviously that was a challenge worthy of a red card, and if it happened in an official match, Ivanovic should have been banned. But the FA recognizes it as a friendly match like the ones other teams in the Premiership had to play last weekend. Those teams wouldn't have had their players suspended for their first league match had some of their players been red carded, so why should we?

[gary gordon 1,777]

Excellent news! I hope he scores a header against Wigan.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Unfair how? Dont get me wrong Im relieved but it was a stupid challenge. Its a ridiculous rule, the community shield may not be the most prestigious trophy in the world but its one between the league winner and cup winner. The ban should stand. I suppose we are lucky we benefited from the FA's stupid rules for once.

Agree stupid rule. The FA actually changed it for the sake of, you guessed it, manure when the started the season with a three match ban for both Scholes and Rooney a few years back.

[Madmax 9,219]

While I'm delighted this won't take effect in the league, Ivanovic needs to use his head more often. Seems to get a little carried away and picks up stupid suspensions. Missed out on an FA Cup final last season due to punching that Wigan (?) player off the ball.

[Strike 7,183]

the question is, if cesar azpilicueta is eventually signed, does he replace branna?

unless ivanovic improves, i think it's gonna be azpi at right back for us this season

[Jase 43,479]

the question is, if cesar azpilicueta is eventually signed, does he replace branna?

unless ivanovic improves, i think it's gonna be azpi at right back for us this season

Maybe a competition for the RB slot is what Ivanovic need right now. Have completely slacked off since the start of pre-season as he probably knows that Ferreira and Hutchinson won't be able to challenge him for that position strongly enough.

[Strike 7,183]

Maybe a competition for the RB slot is what Ivanovic need right now. Have completely slacked off since the start of pre-season as he probably knows that Ferreira and Hutchinson won't be able to challenge him for that position strongly enough.

yeah hopefully that's the case. and also with 3 good cb's at the club, he can concentrate solely on the right back slot and thus get back to his best

[YouNameIt 1,511]

the question is, if cesar azpilicueta is eventually signed, does he replace branna?

unless ivanovic improves, i think it's gonna be azpi at right back for us this season

You have to be nuts if you think azpi will be the main RB.

[Strike 7,183]

You have to be nuts if you think azpi will be the main RB.

looking at ivanovic right now....no. i am not. of course rdm wont change now and yeah ivanovic will mostly get back to his usual self but if he keeps this up, then the new signing (if there is any) has an opportunity to make the right back slot his own

ivanovic has been good since his chelsea debut but his time here has been riddled with such mistakes. maybe not as much as luiz at the start of his chelsea career but certainly branna has not taken legendary status at chelsea.

[HNKS 508]

You have to be nuts if you think azpi will be the main RB.

Azpi will provide more of an attacking threat. Ivanovic's strength is defending. So who starts will probably depend on the opposition.

[Laylabelle 9,336]

Good.Right decison with the card but seeing really a stand alone game be daft for it to carry on into the league really..FA being nice for once..

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Azpi will provide more of an attacking threat. Ivanovic's strength is defending. So who starts will probably depend on the opposition.

We dont need an attacking RB.

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

You have to be nuts if you think azpi will be the main RB.

No, you don't have to. If Ivanovic doesn't find his form, and Azpilicueta does well, then Azpilicueta will be our first choice right back. That doesn't sound too irrational to me.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

No, you don't have to. If Ivanovic doesn't find his form, and Azpilicueta does well, then Azpilicueta will be our first choice right back. That doesn't sound too irrational to me.

Unless Iva is injured, he will be the main choice for RB this season. Its that simple. Azpi will have to prove himself and that wont happen overnight. Perhaps in 2-3 seasons he will be our main RB, but certainly not for this season.

And btw, people need to stop hyping up this Azpi guy. He aint THAT good..