Source: SKY_Sports
Cesc and Brown charged
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.[LNB] The charges come as a result of the duo's behaviour during Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Hull at Emirates Stadium in mid-March. [LNB]Gunners midfielder Fabregas was accused of spitting at Tigers assistant manager Brian Horton in the aftermath of the match.[LNB]Hull boss Brown maintained he saw Fabregas spit towards Horton in the tunnel at the end of the match.[LNB]Fabregas denied any wrongdoing in the incident but, after examining video evidence and statements from Hull, the FA has charged the Spain international, on two counts, and Brown.[LNB]A statement on the FA's official website said: "Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct.[LNB]Behaviour"The charges relate to matters arising from the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Hull at the Emirates Stadium on 17th March. [LNB]"Fabregas faces two charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game. [LNB]"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."[LNB]Meanwhile, Brown's charge includes bringing the game into disrepute relating to comments made regarding referee Mike Riley following the fixture.[LNB]The statement added: "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." [LNB]The pair have until 12th May to respond to the charges.[LNB]DefenceHull chairman Paul Duffen was not surprised by the charges and is backing his staff over the claims.[LNB]"I have always welcomed the Football Association's investigation into events at the Emirates Stadium following the final whistle of our FA Cup quarter-final," said Duffen.[LNB]"It is no surprise to me that the FA have decided to bring the charges that they have announced this afternoon as I have always been confident in Phil Brown's and Brian Horton's accounts of events on that day.[LNB]"I will not comment further at this time as this matter is the subject of a disciplinary charge, but I have always known that Phil and Brian tell the truth."[LNB]
