Soccer

Fabregas and Brown charged by FA

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct for the parts the…

Fri Apr 24 2009 - 01:00

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct for the parts the played in the tempestuous meeting between the two sides on March 17th last.

Brown alleged Fabregas spat at his assistant Brian Horton after the FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, but the Hull manager’s outburst at referee Mike Riley has also landed him in trouble with the FA.

Both sides were asked by the FA to provide their observations.

Fabregas, who was not playing against Hull because of a knee injury, issued a statement on the evening of the incident to deny the allegations he spat at Horton in the tunnel.

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Manager Arsene Wenger feels there is no case to answer.

"Fabregas has been charged for improper conduct on the night," the Arsenal manager said, speaking at today's press conference ahead of the Premier League game against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

"I always said we are always very open to co-operate with any investigation.

"I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence and there is nothing in there against Cesc."

Should the charges be proven, Fabregas - who missed more than three months of the campaign with a knee problem which required surgery - could face a suspension.

However, that would only be for domestic matches and as such would not cover the forthcoming Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.

Wenger continued: "I dont know if we will appeal - I will see what we can do about that.

"At the start, I am not a great fan of appealing because I said we are very open to co-operate and now I don’t think we should stop that.

"I am very positive that there was enough evidence in what I have seen that the case should have been dropped."

A statement from the FA said the Spaniard faces two “charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game.

"One charge concerns his behaviour in coming onto the pitch after the final whistle, the second charge relates to an alleged spitting incident.

"The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.

"Brown is charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley.

Both have until May 12th to respond.