Cesc Hit With Hull Charge
29th April 2009
Cesc Fabregas has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following allegations he spat at Hull assistant boss Brian Horton.
The incident occurred after the FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium on March 17.
Arsenal were asked by the FA to provide their observations and, according to manager Arsene Wenger, they have now decided to take the matter further.
Gunners skipper Fabregas, 21, who was not playing against Hull because of a knee injury, issued a statement on the evening of the incident to deny he spat at Horton in the tunnel.
And Wenger feels there is no case to answer. He said: "Fabregas has been charged for improper conduct on the night.
“I always said we are always very open to co-operate with any investigation.
“I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence and there is nothing in there against Cesc."
Should the charges be proven, Fabregas — who missed more than three months of the campaign with a knee problem which required surgery — could face a suspension.
However, that would only be for domestic matches and would not cover the forthcoming Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.
Wenger added: “I dont know if we will appeal — I will see what we can do about that.
“At the start, I am not a great fan of appealing because I said we are very open to co-operate and now I don't think we should stop that.
“I am very positive that there was enough evidence in what I have seen that the case should have been dropped.”
Hull manager Phil Brown brought the alleged incident to light immediately after his side’s defeat.
But he has also been charged by the FA following his outburst at referee Mike Riley.
A statement from the FA read: “Fabregas and Brown have both been charged with improper conduct.
“The charges relate to matters arising from the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Hull on March 17.
“Fabregas faces two charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game.
“One charge concerns his behaviour in coming onto the pitch after the final whistle, the second charge relates to an alleged spitting incident.
“The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.
“Brown is charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments made after the game concerning Riley.
“Fabregas and Brown have until May 12 to respond.”
Should Fabregas be found guilty and handed a suspension, his Premier League season would be over.
Arsenal, who are out of the FA Cup, face what could be a crucial clash in the title race when they head to Old Trafford on May 16 before ending the domestic campaign against Stoke the following Sunday.
However, any ban could also be carried over into next season.
Neither referee Riley or any of the other match officials mentioned the alleged spitting incident in their report to Soho Square.
Horton, however, contacted the League Managers' Association to lodge a complaint before Hull were asked by the FA to submit their observations.
Speaking after the game, Fabregas refuted all of the allegations.
He said: “I was on the pitch at the end of the game celebrating with my team-mates.
"But I promise I did not do anything wrong.”
