FA Quashes Mikel's Yellow Card Vs City

The English Football Association has revealed that the yellow card Super Eagles midfielder,John Mikel Obi picked up during Chelsea's 3-2 Community Shield loss to Manchester City last Sunday at the Villa Park in Birmingham will not count towards his season's tallies. The FA disciplinary committee revealed at the end of its meeting that Mikel's yellow card will not count because it does not class the game as a competitive first team fixture. Mikel has picked up two yellow cards in about four Community Shield matches he has played since joining Chelsea in 2005 with the first coming in the 2007/2008 season against Manchester United which ended 1-1 after full and extra times before United prvailed 3-0 on penalties. Last season Mikel picked up nine yellow cards,the second highest he has picked up in a season since he moved to Stamford Bridge from Norwegian side,Lyn Oslo. Meanwhile the FA also revealed Chelsea defender,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. Also affected by the disciplinary committee's decision are Frank Lampard, Ryan Bertrand, Ramires and Ashley Cole who all picked up yellow cards in the match for the reigning European champions.