Smith hoping for leniency at FA disciplinary hearing

LEEDS striker Alan Smith will be hoping the season of goodwill is still in effect when he faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing today.

Although West Yorkshire Police chose not to prosecute Smith for throwing a bottle into the crowd during Leeds' Carling Cup defeat to Manchester United at the end of October despite being arrested and questioned the FA still charged the 23-year-old with improper conduct.

Smith was seen picking up a plastic bottle which had landed on the Elland Road pitch late in extra time of Leeds' 3-2 third-round exit and hurling it back into the stands where it ironically hit the sister of one of his best friends.