Eden Hazard has been charged by the Football Association for his kick on Swansea City ball boy Charlie Morgan in Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Hazard was sent off by referee Chris Foy after he dislodged the ball from under Morgan's body by kicking him in the Blues' 0-0 draw.
Hazard is escorted down the tunnel after his red card
The Belgian was due to serve a three-match suspension for violent conduct but the FA said evidence it was that was "clearly insufficient".
"It is alleged that Hazard’s behaviour in relation to a Swansea City ball boy, for which the player was dismissed in the 78th minute, constituted violent conduct whereby the standard punishment that would otherwise apply was clearly insufficient.
The player has until 6pm on Tuesday 29 January 2013 to respond to the charge."
The FA did however add a reminder for all clubs of their "responsibilities in ensuring ball boys and other personnel around the pitch act in an appropriate manner at all times" after Morgan caused the incident by time-wasting.
Hazard in Chelsea training on Friday
Morgan, the son of Swansea director Martin Morgan, tweeted prior to the match he was "needed for time-wasting".
Chelsea travel to Brentford on Sunday for their fourth-round FA Cup tie, as Hazard begins his suspension from first-team duty.
Hazard is given instructions by Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benítez