PFA back video panels as Gerrard waits to learn fate

ARSENAL’S Martin Keown has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his spat with Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the game at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Keown was seen to push the Dutch international during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat and although the incident was missed by match referee Dermot Gallagher, the FA requested a video tape of the match.

The England defender apologised to his manager Arsene Wenger immediately after the match but explained there had been no malice in his shove on van Nistelrooy, which resulted in him falling theatrically to the floor.

"Ruud was standing on my foot so I just pushed him away with my hand in an attempt to free myself," said Keown at the time.

If Gallagher had seen the incident and not decided to take any action, then the FA would not have been able to use video evidence against Keown.

If found guilty, the Arsenal defender, who has only just returned after injury, could face a ban of up to three games.

Keown has faced FA disciplinary action in the past for clashes with Chris Sutton, then with Blackburn, and Leeds forward Mark Viduka.

Meanwhile the Professional Footballers Association believe video panels should have a wide-ranging brief as Steven Gerrard waits to learn his fate.

The Liverpool midfielder is anxious to discover whether he will face any action from the Football Association following his two-footed lunge at Gary Naysmith.

Everton defender Naysmith cleared the ball down the touchline with three minutes remaining of Sunday's Merseyside derby only to be caught by Gerrard.

Referee Graham Poll decided to let play go on, but the FA's video panel could request a viewing of the incident.

There has been increasing numbers of players finding themselves hit by FA charges when incidents have been reviewed by video evidence. PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire says that just as television evidence has been used to clear players, it must also be brought in to punish those guilty of foul play, missed by officials.

"It probably does nothing more than highlight the fact we need to have some sort of appeal against it," he said.