Ivanovic spared suspension

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13 August 2012-PA Sport

Spared... Branislav Ivanovic is free to play in the opening round of the EPL (Getty Images)

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic will not face any suspension despite his red card in the Blues fiery Community Shield defeat to Manchester City.

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Ivanovic was sent off by referee Kevin Friend near end of the first half.

The Serbian caught fellow countryman Aleksandar Kolarov with a high tackle which Friend deemed worthy of a straight red card.

It was thought Ivanovic would be banned for three matches, starting with Chelsea's opening Barclays Premier League fixture at Wigan next Sunday.

However, it now appears the FA changed its rules after an incident during an Amsterdam Tournament in 2006, when Manchester United pair Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were both sent off against Porto and ended up serving three-match bans.

As the rule change covered all non-competitive pre-season fixtures, including the Community Shield, it means Ivanovic will be free to play at the DW Stadium.