Branislav Ivanovic will not be suspended for the beginning of our Barclays Premier League campaign, despite his red card in the Community Shield on Sunday.
The defender received a straight red card from referee Kevin Friend for a tackle late in the first half at Villa Park yesterday, but the game is not classed as a competitive first team fixture, and so the Serbian will be free to play at Wigan next weekend.
The 28-year-old will however be banned for three non-first team games, from August 26 onwards. Additionally, yellow cards picked up by Frank Lampard, Ramires and Ashley Cole will not count towards their season’s tallies.