Phil Brown has described as “scandalous” the decision to charge Hull with misconduct over last weekend’s melee at Arsenal.

The English Football Association yesterday charged both clubs with failing to control their players after a mass confrontation involving 21 players in the Tigers’ defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The incident erupted after Arsenal’s Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the ankle of Hull midfielder Richard Garcia as players contested a free-kick decision late in the first half.

Brown has defended the reaction of his players and says the club will be contesting the charge.

Brown said: “There was an incident for some reason, and I can’t answer the accusations against Nasri. He decided to light the touchpaper.

“It was there for everybody to see. It needed to be dealt with more severely and hasn’t been. Why we are up for a charge I don’t know.

“I defend the players to the hilt. As far as I am concerned that lad has gone in there with the intent to start a fight, to start a ruck.

“Maybe it was because Arsenal were hitting a brick wall in terms of the way they were playing, I don’t know.

“We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that’s why they’ve decided to light the touchpaper, I’ve no idea.

“For us to come under criticism yet again is absolutely scandalous, and we’ll be defending it.”

Tigers midfielders Stephen Hunt was booked by referee Steve Bennett once order had been restored, along with Nasri.

Hunt feels he was harshly singled out for his reaction. The Republic of Ireland midfielder said: “There were 22 players there and I got booked!

“I don’t think I deserved to be booked for that incident. Maybe he was booking me for fouls, I don’t know.

“There were other players in there who seem to have got away with it, I think.”