Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to escape match ban

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic will be available for the Blues' start of the new Premier League season, despite picking up a red card in the Community Shield.

The Serbia international was sent off during the Champions League winners' 3-2 defeat to Manchester City at Villa Park yesterday.

Due to a rule change in 2006 following the three-match bans of Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes after an Amsterdam Tournament, Ivanovic will face no additional action after seeing red at the weekend.

The Football Association decided to disregard the automatic ban for non-competitive pre-season fixtures six years ago.