Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas
and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with
improper conduct by the Football Association.
The charges come as a result of the duo's behaviour during
Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Hull at Emirates
Stadium in mid-March.
Gunners midfielder Fabregas was accused of spitting at Tigers
assistant manager Brian Horton in the aftermath of the match.
Hull boss Brown maintained he saw Fabregas spit towards Horton
in the tunnel at the end of the match.
Fabregas denied any wrongdoing in the incident but, after
examining video evidence and statements from Hull, the FA has
charged the Spain international, on two counts, and Brown.
A statement on the FA's official website said: "Arsenal
midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both
been charged with improper conduct.
"The charges relate to matters arising from the FA Cup match
between Arsenal and Hull at the Emirates Stadium on 17th March.
"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."
Meanwhile, Brown's charge includes bringing the game into
disrepute relating to comments made regarding referee Mike Riley
following the fixture.
The statement added: "Brown is charged with improper conduct
and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media
comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley."
The pair have until 12th May to respond to the charges.
Hull chairman Paul Duffen was not surprised by the charges and
is backing his staff over the claims.
"I have always welcomed the Football Association's investigation
into events at the Emirates Stadium following the final whistle of
our FA Cup quarter-final," said Duffen.
"It is no surprise to me that the FA have decided to bring the
charges that they have announced this afternoon as I have always
been confident in Phil Brown's and Brian Horton's accounts of
events on that day.
"I will not comment further at this time as this matter is the
subject of a disciplinary charge, but I have always known that Phil
and Brian tell the truth."