Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been charged by the Football Association for using abusive language about an opponent’s race, ethnicity or nationality.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in the 87th minute of the Magpies’ 2-0 win over Wolves in the Championship on September 17.

He has until November 16 to respond to the charges and, if found guilty of what the FA have called an “aggravated breach” of rules, Shelvey would receive a minimum five-game ban.

Such a ban would mean the 24-year-old would miss, at minimum, games against Leeds, Blackburn, Hull in the EFL Cup, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.

The mandatory punishment was introduced by the FA in May 2013 with guidelines stating that any player found guilty of racially abusing an opponent or discriminating on religion, sexuality or disability, would be banned for a minimum five-game ban.

John Terry received a four-game ban in 2011 and a £220,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand while playing for Chelsea.

Similarly, former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed an eight-game suspension and a £40,000 fine for his racial abuse of Manchester United’ Patrice Evra in 2011.

Shelvey has scored three goals this season (Getty)

Ex-Liverpool and Swansea midfielder Shelvey has won six caps for England and joined Newcastle in January, but was unable to prevent the club’s relegation to the Championship.