FA chief promises crackdown as Gunners await fate

FA CHIEF Mark Palios pledged a get tough policy on "unacceptable forms of behaviour" by players as Arsenal awaited their fate following the unedifying scenes at Old Trafford.

Officials spent yesterday reviewing video evidence, frame by frame, of the controversial incidents that marred the goalless draw as Ruud van Nistelrooy was harangued and harassed by several Arsenal players.

When their deliberations are completed today the club are likely to face a charge of bringing the game into disrepute and that could mean a hefty fine.

However, what could prove far more damaging to their title challenge are the suspensions set to follow for up to five players after what even Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has described as "stupid behaviour".

Martin Keown will almost certainly be charged for having made contact with his elbow on the back of van Nistelrooy's head as he wildly celebrated his penalty miss and could face a lengthy ban if found guilty.

Ray Parlour, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole and Lauren also face potential suspensions, especially if it can be proved any of them laid hands on assistant referee Mike Tingey, as one report indicated may have occurred.

Palios, who became FA chief executive in June, was reluctant to discuss this specific case, especially with the FA expected to announce their lengthy charge-sheet.

"The range of punishments for particular types of unacceptable behaviour need to be appropriate and be seen to be appropriate," Palios said.

"People should not forget the FA deals with a huge number of disciplinary cases, not all of them high profile, but it is crucial everybody involved believes they are being treated in a consistent and fair manner.

"That is the objective I shall be discussing with an expert group of representatives of players, managers and referees, as well as the Premier League and the Football League over coming weeks."

How that affects Arsenal remains to be seen, while United and Gary Neville could also find themselves in the FA dock once the video tapes have been reviewed from every angle.

However, their title challenge will almost certainly suffer, with Patrick Vieira already set to serve an automatic one-match ban for his red card by missing next month's game against Chelsea.

Sol Campbell is already facing a ban of up to three games for his retaliation against Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield and now more could follow.

If Arsenal had to cope without not only Campbell but also Keown, Lauren, Cole and Lehmann, their thin defensive resources could be stretched beyond breaking point.

Former Arsenal boss George Graham said: "I must admit I was surprised when I watched the Arsenal players at the end of this latest match. There should have been an explosion of joy at achieving a great result under difficult circumstances. But with their actions, they threw it all away."

Arsenal chairman Hill-Wood said: "The players concerned were rather silly when you would hope they would show more intelligence.

"All I can say in our defence is we are not a dirty side and nobody was hurt."