FA wait on report on Cesc 'spitting' row

The FA await the referee's report and any possible formal complaint from the Tigers' coaching staff after allegations of spitting by Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas overshadowed Tuesday's FA Cup tie with Hull City.

NigelFrench/Empics

Francesc Fabregas on the pitch after the game

Hull boss Phil Brown said he witnessed Fabregas spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton in the tunnel after his side were controversially beaten 2-1 in their quarter-final tie with a late goal from William Gallas.

Horton was thought to be considering making an official complaint to the FA, who are also waiting to see whether referee Mike Riley has mentioned anything in his report.

Even though Fabregas, who is on the verge of a comeback from three months out with a knee injury, was not in the Arsenal playing squad, the FA still maintain disciplinary jurisdiction.

However, because the alleged incident was not an on-field matter, it would not fall under the 'fast-track' system and so any investigation would seek submissions from all parties involved, as well as any potential television evidence.

Fabregas has released a statement denying the allegations.

"I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match," he said. I have never done this in my whole career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?

"I can understand the frustration of losing a game to a dubious goal, that has happened to me many times in my career as well.

"But this is not the fault of me or any of the Arsenal players."

Aside from the post-match row, Brown was upset about Gunners boss Arsene Wenger attempting to get Hull players booked for time-wasting.

The visitors - who took the lead through Nick Barmby in the 13th minute before Robin van Persie levelled in the second half - were cruelly denied a replay when Gallas headed in an equaliser, despite looking offside.

Brown felt Riley "succumbed to local pressure" in the second half after his players were jeered by the crowd.

"Mr Wenger decides to join in and the result is my goalkeeper getting booked in the second half," he said.

Wenger, though, was upset with Brown for talking about incidents in the tunnel.

"It is very disappointing for him to do that. I will just stick to what I said now - I won't talk about this in public," he said.