(Picture: Action Images)
Newcastle's star midfielder Jonjo Shelvey could be suspended for five games if found guilty of allegedly racially abusing Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss.
Yesterday, the 24-year-old was charged with using abusive language about an opponent's race, ethnicity or nationality
The FA have labelled it as an “aggravated breach” of rules, and Shelvey has until 16th November to respond.
The incident occurred during the Toon's surprising 2-0 home defeat to Wolves on 17th September, when Moroccan Saiss was making his debut for the club.
According to the BBC's Pat Murphy, the incident was brought to the referee's attention at the end of the match by one of Saiss' team-mates.
“Saiss' grasp of English is limited having played in France recently, where he was born, and this could complicate the issue.” said Murphy. “He is now taking English lessons.”
Since the defeat at the hands of Wolves, Rafa Benitez's Newcastle have won seven consecutive games and sit top of the Championship, three points clear of Brighton in second, and Shelvey has been a big part of that.
This season, he has scored three goals, and has five assists – nobody has more – but the potential ban could be a big blow with the former Swansea man set to miss games against Leeds, Blackburn, the EFL Cup trip to Hull City, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City if found guilty.