FA may throw the book at Fulham

FULHAM face the prospect of severe punishment after the Football Association threw the book at the club following Saturday’s stormy match against West Brom.

Charges have been brought against the club, striker Andy Cole and manager Chris Coleman while the FA have also charged West Brom’s Neil Clement.

Fulham face a fine of up to £250,000 for allegedly failing to ensure their players conducted themselves properly after referee Mike Dean reported them for harassment.

Cole could end up with a six-match ban as a result of his sending-off for fighting and subsequent remarks to Dean. Cole will have an automatic three-match ban for the dismissal and faces an additional charge of violent conduct - due to the seriousness of the offence - plus further punishment for abusing a match official.

Fulham have also been accused of failing to ensure that Papa Bouba Diop vacated the field of play 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.