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Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas sees suspension reduced to one game

The FA has reduced Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas' suspension to one match following his red card against West Bromwich Albion.

Fabregas had been sent off during Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at The Hawthorns on Monday night for kicking a ball at West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt.

The incident occurred following a melee in the West Brom penalty area that had seen striker Diego Costa being booked for grappling with Baggies defender Gareth McAuley.

A statement on the FA's official website read: "A claim by Chelsea that the three-match suspension for Cesc Fabregas is excessive has been upheld by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

"Fabregas was dismissed for violent conduct during the West Bromwich Albion FC v Chelsea FC fixture on 18 May.

"The Regulatory Commission has reduced the Chelsea midfielder's suspension to one match, to be served with immediate effect."

Fabregas would have missed games at the start of the 2015-16 season but will now only sit out Chelsea's final game of the season against Sunderland.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho had said following the match that a three-game ban was "harsh" but suggested the club were unlikely to appeal any ban "because we lose every time."

He had sarcastically added: "We have a great record with appealing."