Cesc spitting probe set for FA decision in ugly fallout from Arsenal's Cup defeat of Hull

18 March 2009 10:10
The FA are set to investigate accusations that Arsenal [LNB]captain Cesc Fabregas spat at Hull [LNB]assistant manager Brian Horton at Emirates Stadium last night.[LNB]Storm: Cesc Fabregas gets close to Hull players Sam Ricketts (left) and Craig Fagan, with City's assistant boss Brian Horton in the background[LNB]Hull boss Phil Brown claims to have witnessed the incident in the tunnel after his side were controversially beaten 2-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final.[LNB]Horton was thought to be considering reporting the incident to the FA, who will wait until referee Mike Riley files a report before they make an announcement. [LNB]'I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant managerdown the tunnel,' Brown said. 'That is their club captain, hopefully heis proud of himself. He spat at his feet.'[LNB]Fabregas, who was sidelined through injury and did not play in the tie, then released a statement insisting he did not spit.[LNB]'I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match,' saidthe Spain midfielder. 'I have never done this in my whole career on thepitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?[LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: Great Expectoration! Sportsmail looks back at the moments that have left you spitting mad[LNB]Disgrace! Fabregas accused in spitting row as Brown rages over 'offside' Gallas winner [LNB]Arsenal 2 Hull 1: Gallas hell for Tigers as rough justice sees Gunners steal a win[LNB]ARSENAL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]HULL CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] 'I canunderstand the frustration of losing a game to a dubious goal, that hashappened to me many times in my career as well. But this is not thefault of me or any of the Arsenal players.' [LNB]Even though Fabregas, who is on the verge of a comeback from threemonths out with a knee injury, was not in the Arsenal playing squad,the FA still maintain disciplinary jurisdiction. [LNB]However, because the alleged incident was not an on-field matter,it would not fall under the 'fast-track' system and so anyinvestigation would seek submissions from all parties involved, as wellas any potential television evidence.[LNB]Upon learning of Brown's comments, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger responded: 'There was no incident with Fabregas. I didn't see anything. I went early down the tunnel so I didn't see anything at all. I'm not here to create stories or things that are minor and which might have happened that I didn't see.'[LNB] Divided: Horton (left) glances back up the touchline as Arsene Wenger gestures towards the pitch[LNB]Theo Walcott attempted to play down the clash with Horton. Despite several heated exchanges between the dug-outs which culminated in managers Wenger and Brown failing to shake hands at full-time, Walcott insists there was no ill-feeling between the players.[LNB]He said: 'There was no animosity. I thought it was a tough game and all the players gave a 100 per cent. I was just getting on with the game but there was quite a bit of time wasting.[LNB]'When you play against the big teams you try and slow the game down. In a way, the winning goal was the sort of luck you need to win the FA Cup. The cameras show it was offside and it's the referee's decision in the end. We can't do anything about that but we deserved it.'[LNB]Aside from the post-match row,Brown was upset about Wenger attempting to get Hullplayers booked for time-wasting.[LNB] Offside? Gallas scores his late winner for Arsenal as Andy Dawson looks on ruefully[LNB]The visitors were then cruellydenied a replay when William Gallas headed in an equaliser to set up asemi-final meeting with Chelsea, despite looking offside.[LNB]Brown felt Riley 'succumbed to local pressure' in the second half after his players were jeered by the crowd.[LNB] 'Mr Wenger decides to join in and the result is my goalkeeper getting booked in the second half,' he said. 'I can't say what went on at half-time, I have no idea.'[LNB]Hull had taken the lead through Nick Barmby in the 13th minute before the former Tottenham midfielder also had a strike chalked off for offside.[LNB]The visitors soaked up pressure until Robin van Persie struck with 16 minutes remaining, then Gallas appeared fortunate not to be flagged for the winner.[LNB] Fair fight: Theo Walcott (right) played down the row[LNB]'There is no excuse for the first goal, it was definitely a mistake by us, no excuse about the second goal, it was definitely a mistake by the officials,' Brown said.[LNB]'That is why we are out of the FA Cup. Ask Mr Riley how much that will cost to the city? I don't think he'd understand and I don't think he'd care.'[LNB]Brown stopped short of saying his players had been cheated. 'I can't use that word, but that is the case,' he said.[LNB]Wenger, contrary to television replays, felt Gallas was onside. 'It is not offside because the ball was deflected by the fist of the goalkeeper,' the Frenchman said. '(Johan) Djourou first, the goalkeeper after, then a foul on Gallas. Penalty. We should have got two goals.'[LNB]Wenger was also upset with Brown for talking about incidents in the tunnel. 'It is very disappointing for him to do that. I will just stick to what I said now - I won't talk about this in public,' Wenger added.[LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: Great Expectoration! Sportsmail looks back at the moments that have left you spitting mad[LNB]Disgrace! Fabregas accused in spitting row as Brown rages over 'offside' Gallas winner [LNB]Arsenal 2 Hull 1: Gallas hell for Tigers as rough justice sees Gunners steal a win[LNB]ARSENAL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]HULL CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail