Source: Telegraph
West Ham follow Millwall in contesting Football Association charges
The League One side has already confirmed that they have submitted their defence and supporting evidence to the Football Association relating to the three charges brought against them and now West Ham are following suit. [LNB]Both clubs were charged with failing to ensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour, and failing to ensure their supporters refrained from racist behaviour. [LNB] Related ArticlesMillwall: FA charges 'totally unjustified'Millwall 'shocked' by FA chargesStoke City v West Ham: match previewWest Ham reject David SullivanWest Ham target Antonio CandrevaSport on televisionThey were also charged with a failure to ensure their supporters did not throw missiles onto the pitch. And in addition West Ham were also hit with a further charge of failing to ensure their supporters did not enter the field of play following the game, on August 25. [LNB]There was also trouble outside the ground during which a Millwall fan was stabbed. [LNB]If found guilty, West Ham could face ground closure or having to play behind closed doors, but both clubs insist that they did everything withint their power to limit potential problems. [LNB]Richard Dunne says the camaraderie at Aston Villa is one of the main reasons they beat Chelsea on Saturday.[LNB]In what could be interpreted as a jibe aimed at his former club Manchester City, the Villa defender said that no amount of money can buy the sort of environment created by Martin O'Neill and the Villa players.[LNB]Dunne, who has now scored two goals for his new club, explained that Villa's team spirit means that the new players brought in at the end of the summer transfer window have been able to fit in immediately, and every player is extra committed to helping his team-mates, which gives them the confidence, he says, to believe that they can defeat any side that they come up against.[LNB]"Just look at the team's performances and the attitude and heart that is out on the pitch," he said. "It shows the dressing room is a happy place. People are always going on about the bigger clubs who have spent a lot more money, but it is all down to the attitude of the players and the attitude here is second to none. You can't really buy what we have got here. The team spirit is spilling out into our performances and as long as we keep working as hard as that we will be a match for any side.[LNB]Vincent Kompany has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City. The midfielder, 23, had already been contracted to the Eastlands club until 2012, but has pledged his long-term future after being linked with a January move to Barcelona.[LNB]Stoke defender Robert Huth has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association over an incident involving West Ham defender Matthew Upson on Saturday. [LNB]Huth appeared to swing an arm into Upson's face as the pair jostled for position at a free-kick, but the incident went unnoticed by referee Martin Atkinson. [LNB]The FA have confirmed they are investigating Burnley midfielder Wade Elliott's clash with Pascal Chimbonda during his side's defeat at Blackburn on Sunday. [LNB]Referee Chris Foy did not include the incident, in which Elliott appeared to stamp on the Frenchman's face, in his match report and it is believed he will examine video footage before deciding whether to charge Elliott with violent conduct. [LNB]
