Arsenal and up to five of their players face being charged by the English FA which today launched an investigation into the controversial scenes which marred the London club's 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. United and defender Gary Neville could also find themselves at the centre of the FA probe. However, it is Arsenal who are set to be the main defendants in the FA dock after video evidence has been reviewed by the governing body.
The Gunners could receive a hefty six-figure fine if found guilty of failing to control their players. But the matter is not expected to end there, with the FA poised to look at whether to individually charge up to five Arsenal players for their part in the scuffles which surrounded Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman, who angered Arsenal with his reaction to Patrick Vieira's attempted retaliation as he earned a second yellow card, is not set to be investigated himself. However, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Lauren, who all raced over to harass van Nistelrooy and celebrate in his face after he had missed a last minute penalty, are at risk of receiving FA charges that could lead to suspensions or fines.
The roles of Ashley Cole and Jens Lehmann are also understood to be under review by the FA, with some reports suggesting that Cole may have attempted to throw a punch.
In a worst-case scenario, that could leave Arsenal, who have already claimed there is an FA vendetta against them after Sol Campbell was charged following the Community Shield, with a disciplinary nightmare encompassing their entire defence.
FA head of media Adrian Bevington told the FA's website, www.theFA.com: "The FA can confirm that we have received the report from referee Steve Bennett, as well as video tapes of the match. As a result, the FA will now review the video tapes in detail and as a matter of urgency. The FA have also requested further videos of the various incidents from different camera angles. The FA will be looking at various aspects of player behaviour during the match and in the scenes following the final whistle. The FA will make a further statement as soon as this process is complete."
Vieira has branded Ruud van Nistelrooy a 'cheat' and claimed that the Dutchman tried to stamp on him in yesterday's clash. Vieria lashed out at the Dutchman in retaliation and was shown a second yellow card even though he failed to make any contact at all. However, the Arsenal player claimed that van Nistelrooy originally kicked out at him after climbing on him: "I am very angry with Ruud van Nistelrooy, not the referee. He made more of the challenge than he should have done and he cheated. He tried to stamp on me."
Vieira was backed up in his claim by manager Arsene Wenger, who said: "Van Nistelrooy kicked Patrick with his right leg after he had made the foul. That is why I think he should have gone as well. Van Nistelrooy does not help himself, frankly. He is a great player but his attitude is always provoking and diving. If Patrick had to go off van Nistelrooy should have gone off. He is 100% sure that van Nistelrooy caught him."
Not surprisingly, United manager Alex Ferguson was critical of Arsenal's behaviour: "I really think that was terrible behaviour at the end. I think the FA will look into it. Everyone in the country will be disappointed to see that kind of behaviour. After all, these are the best two teams in the country. Chelsea may now be having a great go and could even win the league. But over the past few seasons, Arsenal and Manchester United have been the vanguard of our country, so you would expect better."
Filed by Rob Wright
