Jonjo Shelvey has been banned for five matches and fined £100,000 after allegedly calling Wolves and Morocco midfielder Romain Saiss a 'smelly Arab', Sportsmail can reveal.

The Newcastle playmaker denied an FA misconduct charge of using racially aggravated language but the charge was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission on Tuesday.

Shelvey had requested a personal hearing and both Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic gave evidence in defence of their team-mate.

Jonjo Shelvey will miss Newcastle's next five games and has been fined £100,000

Shelvey was accused of directing racial abuse at Wolves' Moroccan player Romain Saiss (left)

FIVE GAMES SHELVEY WILL MISS December 30 - Nottingham Forest (H) January 2 - Blackburn Rovers (A) January 7 - Birmingham (FA Cup, A) January 16 - Brentford (A) January 21 - Rotherham (H) Advertisement

However, the 24-year-old will now be suspended until January 28, although we understand Newcastle are considering an appeal.

Shelvey has told the club that he did not say what has been alleged and will continue to protest his innocence.

They have seven days to submit an appeal, during which time he will be available for the Boxing Day visit of Sheffield Wednesday. Wolves, meanwhile, have 'welcomed the verdict'.

Tuesday's FA statement read: 'Jonjo Shelvey has been given a five-match suspension and £100,000 fine after an FA misconduct charge against him was found proven.

'The Newcastle player was charged with using abusive and/or insulting words towards an opponent in the 87th minute of the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday September 17, 2016.

'It was further alleged that this breach of Rule E3(1) was an 'Aggravated Breach' as defined in Rule E3(2), as it included reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or nationality.

'The player, who denied the charge at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, was also ordered to attend an FA education course.'

Shelvey (centre) congratulates Christian Atsu on his goal against Cardiff City

A Newcastle statement said: 'The club and the player will await the FA's written reasons before making any further comment on this matter.'

Shelvey - who has suffered from alopecia since childhood - had claimed he was taunted about his baldness by Wolves' players during the 2-0 defeat at St James' Park, but insists he did not racially abuse Saiss.

The incident was reported to referee Tim Robinson by team-mates of Saiss immediately after the game but it was not until November 8 that Shelvey was charged as the FA collected evidence; Saiss's limited understanding of English was believed to be a complicating factor.

Shelvey has been one of Newcastle's stand-out performers in the Championship this season

Newcastle must now decide whether to appeal - and risk further delay and the possibility of Shelvey missing the key clash with Brighton on January 28 - or accept the verdict.

The England midfielder has been a key player under Rafa Benitez this season and has scored three times and supplied six assists from 22 league appearances for the Championship leaders.