Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher must face a nervy wait of several days before he learns his fate following both police and FA investigations into his FA Cup coin-throwing shame. Carragher was sent-off during yesterday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury after he was so incensed by supporters pelting him with coins, he threw one back into the crowd. Although the club have condemned his actions, caretaker boss Phil Thompson has appealed for Carragher not to be made a scapegoat.
"More and more we are seeing missiles thrown at the players and it's a shame that a Liverpool player has taken the brunt of this. It is sad it may have taken a player to snap and show his frustration before something is done about it. What Jamie did wasn't right, but it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt, it's frightening," said Thompson.
Carragher did issue an immediate apology for his actions during yesterday's game and the FA have welcomed this move but the Liverpool star could be faced with a more serious worry than what punishment the FA have in store for him as the police are currently investigating the matter and could still press ahead with prosecution. The FA themselves have decided to wait until police investigations are completed before announcing whether or not they intend to charge the England full-back with misconduct that would see him serve a six-match suspension when coupled with the automatic three-match ban he sustained for being sent-off during the game.
If Carragher, as expected, will be hit by a six-match ban, he could be out of domestic action into the middle of April and may also miss two England internationals because FA chief executive Adam Crozier has previously claimed banned players will not be considered for their country.
However, not doubt the player is more concerned at present with the possibility of facing police charges although the police have admitted that so far they have received no complaints from the public over Carragher's actions. "At the moment our enquiries are continuing. We anticipate talking to a number of people, the people involved, members of the public, officials from both clubs and the football authorities. It is likely that those discussions could take several days, and then that information will be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service," explained a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
