SOCCER: West Ham face severe sanctions from the English Football Association after a fan threw a coin at Arsenal's Robin van Persie during a bad-tempered match at Upton Park yesterday in the second such incident in the capital this weekend. Fulham's Claus Jensen was struck at Craven Cottage during the game against Everton on Saturday.

Alan Pardew was also involved in a physical confrontation with Arsene Wenger on the touchline after Marlon Harewood's 89th-minute winner that could leave both managers facing disciplinary measures. The FA will await the report from referee Rob Styles before deciding how to proceed with the spat between Wenger and Pardew and shoving between players. But it was the incident involving the fan that gives West Ham most cause for concern.

Following similar incidents in matches against Chelsea and Millwall in recent seasons, an FA ruling last month said a repeat would be severely dealt with. West Ham's secretary, Scott Duxbury, warned fans in the club programme of "serious implications" that "can lead to the possibility of a points deduction".

Pardew was quick to denounce the fan's actions. "West Ham fans have been brilliant this season, although there has been the odd incident, like at most clubs," he said. "But something like this spoils our day. That fan should be ashamed and hopefully he has been caught on CCTV and we can never let them back in."

Pardew confessed to being "over-zealous" as he celebrated Harewood's goal. Pardew rushed into Wenger's technical area with his arm raised, before indulging in a fist-pumping celebration. The Frenchman responded by shoving Pardew, who was then seen to abuse his Arsenal counterpart.

Wenger clashed with the fourth official, Andy D'Urso, as he demanded Pardew be reprimanded and the tone was set for a series of incidents between the teams. Cesc Fabregas confronted Styles after the game and Jens Lehmann squirted water from his bottle at Teddy Sheringham.

The Arsenal and England physio, Gary Lewin, then wrestled the goalkeeper to the floor, prompting Wenger to tackle his medical man. Wenger refused to attend the post-match press conference and refused to respond to Pardew's attempt at a handshake after the match.

Pardew, though, apologised for his part in the quarrel. "I apologise fully to Wenger and to Arsenal," he said. "We've had a tough season here and maybe that came out at the time. I didn't say anything I regret.

"I said I was just celebrating the goal, don't begrudge me that. There was a lot of frustration on my part and I apologise if I offended anyone."