/ 21 September 2004

FA steps in after Fulham fracas

Fulham striker Andy Cole, manager Chris Coleman and West Bromwich Albion’s Neil Clement had disciplinary charges brought against them by the Football Association (FA) on Monday.

Cole, who faces a possible six-match ban, got involved in a late brawl sparked by Neil Clement’s wild tackle on Luis Boa Morte in their 1-1 Premiership draw against West Brom on Saturday.

A fiery match saw two Fulham players sent off and one from West Brom.

Referee Mike Dean reported Fulham’s players and Cole — who scored his side’s goal — did not help with comments to Dean during the incident.

Cole will have a three-match suspension because of his sending-off but also will have to face a charge of violent conduct and abusing a match official.

Fulham have also been accused of failing to ensure that Papa Bouba Diop left the pitch and technical area following his sending-off for violent conduct after the Senegal international watched the rest of the match from behind the dug-out.

West Brom’s Clement has also been charged with violent conduct for the incident involving Cole, which was sparked off after his red card for a professional foul, and now faces a four-match ban.

Both Fulham and Cole have two weeks to answer their cases to the FA, which will be heard on October 6. — Sapa-AFP