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London - Eden Hazard was facing the prospect of an additional ban for kicking a ball boy after the Football Association charged him on Friday over his red card in Chelsea's League Cup exit at Swansea.
Belgian forward Hazard was already set to serve an automatic three-match ban for his red card in Wednesday's semi-final second leg at the Liberty Stadium, where a goalless draw condemned Chelsea to a 2-0 aggregate defeat.
However, the FA insisted Friday that constituted an "insufficient" punishment for the offence.
"The FA has charged Chelsea's Eden Hazard following his side's League Cup semi-final at Swansea on January 23, 2013," an FA statement said.
"It is alleged that Hazard's behaviour in relation to a Swansea 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 (1800GMT) on Tuesday, January 29, to respond to the charge.
"The FA will remind all clubs of their responsibilities in ensuring ball boys and other personnel around the pitch act in an appropriate manner at all times and will liaise with competitions accordingly."
Hazard was sent off by referee Chris Foy for kicking Charlie Morgan, the 17-year-old son of Swansea's biggest shareholder in the closing stages of Wednesday's match at the Liberty Stadium.
The Belgium international lost patience when Morgan refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out for a goal-kick.
Morgan fell to the ground as Hazard attempted to get the ball from him, with the 22-year-old then trying to kick it from under him but appearing to instead make contact with the youngster.
