Foe may miss four as he falls foul of FA

West Ham's Marc-Vivien Foe faces a four-match ban after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association for allegedly pushing the referee at the end of Tuesday's controversial game at Arsenal.

The decision coincided with a warning from the FA's new chief executive Adam Crozier that the governing body will continue to get tough with intimidation on the pitch following a spate of recent incidents.

The Foe episode is not deemed as serious as the infamous occasion when his Hammers team-mate Paolo di Canio pushed over the referee Paul Alcock while playing for Sheffield Wednesday, also against Arsenal.

But the Cameroon international can still expect to be banned for at least a month if found guilty of manhandling Durkin as various West Ham players protested at his decision to allow Emmanuel Petit's injury-time winner despite suspicions of handball. Foe's team-mate John Moncur was also charged with misconduct for comments made to Durkin.

West Ham's manager Harry Redknapp escaped a misconduct charge despite making scathing post-match comments about Durkin's refereeing ability and the club as a whole escaped a misconduct charge for failing to control their players.

Instead the club will receive a written FA warning that they are responsible for their players' behaviour after picking up one red card and seven yellows on Tuesday night.

Trevor Sinclair was sent off in injury-time for a foul having minutes earlier been cautioned for protesting the handball decision.

The FA is now considering introducing an automatic fine for clubs who pick up more than six cautions in a game.

The FA yesterday also charged the former Hammer John Hartson with misconduct following an incident in the tunnel before Wimbledon's game at Bradford on Sunday.

Arsenal yesterday moved to close the financial gap between them and Manchester United by appointing a heavy-hitting City businessman as managing director.

Keith Edelman , who until recently was chief executive of Storehouse, is to take over from Ken Friar who is stepping down at the end of this month after 50 years in the post.

Edelman's arrival will re-ignite speculation that Arsenal are considering a money-raising flotation of its own or partnering with a media company.

Friar will remain at the club to oversee its move to a new stadium at Ashburton Grove.