Alonso charged with violent conduct for tackle on Southampton's Long

Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso is facing a potential three-match ban after being charged by the Football Association on Tuesday for an errant tackle on Southampton forward Shane Long.

The incident, which took place in the 43rd minute of Chelsea's 3-2 win at St. Mary, wasn't seen by the officials.

(Courtesy: @BenDinnery)

Alonso has until 6 p.m. GMT on Wednesday to plead his case. If he is found guilty, the Spaniard will miss the FA Cup semi-final against Long's Saints on Sunday, as well as Premier League matches against Burnley and Swansea City.

"It's a poor challenge, a really poor challenge," Southampton manager Mark Hughes told reporters afterwards. "It should have been a red card. The disappointment was that the officials didn't see it. They were within a 10-, 15-metre radius. I would suggest one of them should have seen it."

Alonso didn't receive a yellow card on the play and went on to assist the first of Chelsea's three goals.

Hughes said referee Mike Dean's inability to make that call is an example as to why FIFA neglected to select any English officials for the upcoming World Cup.

Southampton had a 2-0 lead at the time of the suspected foul, only to conceded three times in the second half. The late collapse cost the south-coast side a chance to escape the relegation zone.

"Clearly if Chelsea were down to 10 men in the first half with ourselves in the ascendency, that would have put a different slant on the game," Hughes added. "It's a real shame because the players have put in such an effort."