Asprilla could miss six games

THE English FA yesterday charged Newcastle's Faustino Asprilla and Manchester City skipper Keith Curle with misconduct. Asprilla could miss six games as Newcastle, the Premiership leaders, go into a crucial final stage of the season with Manchester United hot on their trail.

The charges follow alleged incidents in the thrilling 3-3 draw between the clubs at Maine Road on Saturday. Asprilla, making only his second full game for Newcastle after a £7.5 million move from Parma, has been charged with two counts of misconduct and Curle with one.

Kevin Keegan's expensive new recruit appeared to head butt Curle seconds after the final whistle after being seen to elbow the same player when the two became entangled in a messy second half challenge.

Referee Martin Bodenham's match report was faxed to the FA this morning. It included video evidence from linesman Andrew Martin on the alleged head butting incident which occurred just yards away from the official.

The match video was also studied yesterday by senior FA officials. Spokeswoman Clare Tomlinson said: "It is clear both players have a case to answer."

Both players have 14 days to answer the charges and City secretary Bernard Holford said the Maine Road club did not want to comment on the decision to charge Curle. It is understood that City will back their skipper to the hilt, believing that Curle was the innocent party in a series of clashes that took the gloss off a marvellous game.

Newcastle followed City's lead in refusing to comment, with manager Keegan, perhaps pre empting the announcement by putting a media black out on the dub until Friday.

Curle has refused to comment on the incidents. It is believed he is being reported for misconduct for the tussle after the final whistle.

Asprilla has stringently denied - there had been any intent to injure Curle in the first clash, although he did not discuss the butting incident.

He explained: "I was trying to push him away and trying to escape. He had his arms around me, and I wanted to get free. All I was trying to do was avoid him. I was pushing and pushing but I didn't know I had hit him in the face. It certainly wasn't my intention to elbow him - and what I did wasn't that strong."

Asprilla, though, was clearly aware that the two incidents had once again made him the focus of the worst kind of back page headlines. "Yes, I know what the papers are saying," he said. "But I also know I have to be very careful about what I say now.

Greater Manchester Police said they will not be taking action against Asprilla. A spokesman said yesterday: "It is not a police matter but a matter for the Football Association."