Brown fumes at FA charge

Tigers to contest FA misconduct charge

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 24th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Brown fumes at FA charge

Charge: Tempers flare at the Emirates

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Hull City manager Phil Brown has hit out at the misconduct charge handed to his side following the ill-tempered clash with Arsenal, describing it as "scandalous".

The FA charged both sides on Wednesday for failing to control their players after a 21-player melee in the Gunners' 3-0 win over Hull at the Emirates Stadium.

The confrontation was sparked by Samir Nasri's stamp on the ankle of Tigers' midfielder Richard Garcia as the visitors contested a free-kick decision late in the first-half.

Nick Barmby and Stephen Hunt squared up to the Frenchman as players from both sides piled into the ruck.

Brown has defended the reaction of his players to the incident, and said he did not understand why his side had been hit with the charge.

The City boss also said Nasri had deliberately looked to cause trouble with referee Steve Bennett distracted.

Tempers continued to flare at the interval as the players left the field and made their way down the tunnel.

He said: "There was an incident for some reason, and I can't answer the accusations against Nasri. He decided to light the touchpaper.

"It was there for everybody to see. It needed to be dealt with more severely and hasn't been. Why we are up for a charge I don't know.

"I defend the players to the hilt. As far as I am concerned that lad has gone in there with the intent to start a fight, to start a ruck."

Brown suggested that the trouble flared because of Arsenal's frustration in breaking the stubborn Tigers down, who had snuffed out any threat in the opening period.

They were only undone by Denilson's 45th minute free-kick - another controversial decision that irked Brown's players.

The Hull manager also said the club would contest the charge handed by the FA.

"Maybe it was because Arsenal were hitting a brick wall in terms of the way they were playing, I don't know," Brown said.

Absolutely scandalous

"We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that's why they've decided to light the touchpaper, I've no idea.

"For us to come under criticism yet again is absolutely scandalous, and we'll be defending it."

Hunt and Nasri were both booked in the aftermath of the flash point, although the Irishman felt he was unfairly singled out for his reaction.

Veteran Barmby was also cautioned for dissent at the end of the half, and was replaced by Seyi Olofinjana as a precaution.

Hunt said: "There were 22 players there and I got booked!

"I don't think I deserved to be booked for that incident. Maybe he was booking me for fouls, I don't know.

"There were other players in there who seem to have got away with it, I think."

The defeat means Hull have gone four games without a win and are still mired in relegation trouble, despite a mini-revival in November which saw Brown save his job with two wins and two draws.

The Tigers host Manchester United at the KC Stadium next, although Brown said his men will not be daunted by the visit of Sir Alex Ferguson's champions.

United's quest to retain their Premier League title has stumbled of late having lost to Fulham and Aston Villa in recent weeks, and Brown believes they are facing the holders at the right time.

He added: "If we can perform the way we did against Arsenal, and hopefully get that strong referee I've been crying out for at the KC Stadium, then who knows? We might be able to compound Manchester United's defeat against Fulham.

"They will be like a wounded animal and they have great quality in depth, but it is an opportunity. We just want players to grab that opportunity.

"Every game is an opportunity as far as I am concerned, it doesn't matter who you are playing.

"The next game is an opportunity to put our best foot forward and try to get three points."