Nemanja Matic has had his three-match suspension for the red card he received for pushing Burnley striker Ashley Barnes reduced to two games, although Chelsea have announced they are "appalled" at the Football Association's decision.
The midfielder had been sent off during Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Burnley for a shove on Barnes in response to a dangerous challenge from the striker.
Matic would have been due to serve a three-match ban but that has now been reduced, although he will still miss Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur and a Premier League game against West Ham. He will, however, now be free for Chelsea's clash against Southampton.
Independent Regulatory Commission reduces Nemanja Matic suspension to two matches http://t.co/OyhbTunh7f pic.twitter.com/9NWbWWCKCx
- The FA (@FA) February 24, 2015
Roger Burden, chairman of the FA's Regulatory Commission, said on the governing body's official website: "In reaching this decision the members of the Regulatory Commission rejected the mitigation advanced by Nemanja Matic in respect of the provocation and tackle he received which led to his act of violent conduct.
"The violent response of Mr. Matic to the nature of the tackle cannot be condoned and does not vindicate his subsequent actions. The members of the Commission did, however, accept the mitigation in respect of the level of force used by Mr. Matic and the nature of the contact he made with Mr. Barnes of Burnley FC.
"Having made those considerations we determined that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension would be clearly excessive and, therefore, ordered that the suspension be reduced to two matches."
Barnes came under fire for his part in the incident, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho criticising him for a "criminal tackle," although Burnley boss Sean Dyche later defended the player.
The Football Association announced earlier this week that the Burnley striker had escaped any retrospective action, and Chelsea were hopeful that Matic might also avoid a suspension after launching an appeal.
.@ChelseaFC appalled with the FA's decision on Matic http://t.co/ZvNPTryRkP #CFC pic.twitter.com/3xpdXl7VEJ
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 24, 2015
A Chelsea statement read: "The Chelsea Football Club Board is extremely disappointed and frustrated that the FA Regulatory Commission has today decided not to reduce Nemanja Matic's suspension to the maximum extent permitted under FA rules.
"Chelsea FC challenged the standard three-match suspension which automatically followed the red card issued to Matic by referee Martin Atkinson during Saturday's Premier League match against Burnley.
"There has been universal condemnation of the reckless challenge made by Ashley Barnes on Matic and it is the club's view that he has been unjustly punished with a two-match ban for his reaction to a career-threatening tackle.
"It is Chelsea's opinion that referees and the football authorities must do more to protect players at all levels of the game from dangerous challenges. This decision also clearly demonstrates a need for consistency and fairness in the disciplinary process.
"The club awaits The FA's written reasons, prior to commenting further."