Bergkamp baffled by stamping fuss

Dennis Bergkamp waiting to hear tonight whether the Football Association will charge him with misconduct over an alleged stamping…

Dennis Bergkamp waiting to hear tonight whether the Football Association will charge him with misconduct over an alleged stamping offence - but he admitted he was surprised that action had even been considered.

Although Arsenal's Dutch striker was not booked by referee Graham Barber - who gave a free kick against him - following a clash with Blackburn Rovers defender Nils-Eric Johansson at Highbury two weeks ago, the FA called for film of the incident and it was widely reported the player would be charged today.

In fact the FA were busily engaged with disciplinary matters from mostly minor leagues and have made no announcement yet about Bergkamp, who now insists referee Barber had a clear view of the incident and told him to "calm down".

This is significant as the FA's controversial video advisory panel - who can recommend a misconduct charge - only sits in judgement on issues that match referees have missed.

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Television showed Bergkamp placing a foot on the fallen Johansson after tripping him, but the 33-year-old Arsenal star clearly claims this was a frustrated rather than violent intent.

"I'm very surprised (that the FA called for the video)," said Bergkamp, who faces a three-match suspension if charged. "The word stamp is a very big word for a minor incident.

"The referee saw the incident and felt that nothing was wrong. He told me to calm down which I did.

"Right after the game I spoke to a lot of newspaper people but they never mentioned the incident. So then it is on television and then it is in the newspapers. Then the FA decide to look at the video.

"This is a strange combination for me because if it is not shown on television then nothing is wrong.

"I am very disappointed about this situation as the referee said there was nothing in it and he was standing 20 yards away."

The FA may now make an announcement about Bergkamp tomorrow but like team-mate Thierry Henry in similar circumstances earlier this season he may still have no case to answer.