Football: Players in Trouble

Arsenal's title challenge is set to be seriously undermined by suspensions potentially totalling more than 20 games after being hit by the full force of the Football Association's disciplinary might.

Arsenal are accused of failing to control their players during the ugly incidents in their goalless draw at Old Trafford last Sunday, which could net them a hefty fine.

Boss Arsene Wenger could also be in the FA dock after being asked to explain his post-match blast at Ruud van Nistelrooy as he accused the Manchester United striker of cheating to get Patrick Vieira sent off.

However, even more worryingly for Arsenal's title aspirations, six of their players have been charged with a total of 11 separate counts of misconduct.

Indeed, it is so serious the board have admitted their side failed to live up to the club's standards of behaviour and revealed that Wenger had already "addressed the players on this issue".

Manchester United are understood to be unhappy at two of their players also being charged by the FA and are consulting their lawyers ahead of the hearings, which could last up to four days.

Arsenal - charged with "failing to ensure the proper behaviour of their players".


Lauren - two counts of improper conduct for "confronting Ruud van Nistelrooy after Patrick Vieira's sending-off, and for confronting Ryan Giggs after the final whistle" and two counts of violent behaviour for "kicking out at Quinton Fortune following the penalty award and for forcibly pushing van Nistelrooy in the back following the final whistle".


Keown - one charge of improper conduct for "confronting van Nistelrooy following the penalty miss" and one charge of violent behaviour "for striking van Nistelrooy on the back of the head following the final whistle".


Parlour - one charge of improper conduct for "confronting van Nistelrooy after the final whistle" and a further charge of violent behaviour for "grabbing at Gary Neville from behind shortly afterwards".


Cole - one charge of improper conduct for "his involvement in a confrontation with Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle".


Lehmann - one charge of improper conduct for "confronting referee Steve Bennett after Patrick Vieira's second yellow card and for then persistently seeking to confront van Nistelrooy".


Vieira - one charge of improper conduct for "failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off, and for instead seeking to confront van Nistelrooy and engaging in a verbal exchange with fourth official Neale Barry".


Giggs - one charge of improper conduct for "his involvement in a confrontation with Lauren after the match had ended".


Ronaldo - one charge of improper conduct for "confronting Martin Keown at the conclusion of the match".


Meanwhile Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been called before the FA to explain his post-match comments about van Nistelrooy.