ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:ARSENE WENGER has reacted with bemusement at the decision to charge his captain, Cesc Fabregas, with misconduct following incidents after Arsenal's English FA Cup victory over Hull City last month.
Fabregas was charged on two counts: for entering the field of play after the game, having played no part in it – he was out with a knee injury – and for allegedly spitting at Hull’s assistant manager, Brian Horton, in the tunnel.
Wenger suggested that the English FA had pursued the matter only because of the media furore.
Phil Brown, the Hull manager, who has also been charged by the FA for the “cheating” remark he directed at referee Mike Riley after he allowed William Gallas’s contentious winner to stand, was scathing about Fabregas’s behaviour.
Brown’s grievances included the Spaniard’s confrontational attitude towards his players on the pitch, not to mention Horton, and “the manner in which he was dressed”. The midfielder was wearing jeans and a hoodie.
“If he had been wearing a black tie, he would not have been charged,” said Wenger, with a smile. “Such a big thing has been made of the story that (the FA) go further. I know how it works at the FA. I know them for long enough.”
The Arsenal manager is convinced Fabregas, who faces a three-match domestic ban, has no case to answer regarding the more damaging charge of spitting, particularly as he has seen footage that is believed to be from the tunnel.
“I show you the tape,” said Wenger. “You watch the tape, you will be surprised. Nothing in Cesc’s behaviour troubles me. On what I have seen, he will not be punished.”
Wenger was simply bemused at the other aspect of the charge.
“Nobody told me before that you could be charged for going on the pitch. I will now try to stop my (non-playing) players doing so in future. Personally I find it very good. The players that are left out at many clubs don’t come to the games, but we make it compulsory. If they can share a good emotion with the other players, it is even better.”
Fabregas’s case will be heard by an independent disciplinary commission, who will judge his word against those of Brown and Horton.
"It is no surprise to me that the FA has decided to bring charges," said Hull chairman Paul Duffen, "as I have always been confident in Phil Brown's and Brian Horton's accounts of events." GuardianService
