Charge shocks Zenden

Middlesbrough midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has admitted his surprise at the FA charge with which his side and Everton are facing following last weekend’s goalmouth melee.

The Dutchman was at the centre of things after Boro reacted angrily to Duncan Ferguson’s challenge on goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, sparking a brawl involving virtually every player other than Toffees’ keeper Richard Wright.

Match referee Dermot Gallagher dealt with the situation on the pitch by summoning captains Gareth Southgate and Alan Stubbs and ordering them to tell their team-mates to cool it.

However, FA disciplinary chiefs decided further action was necessary and charged both clubs with failing to control their players, much to the annoyance of Everton boss David Moyes, and Zenden today admitted he was surprised by the decision.

“Probably, yes,” he said. “There was a bit of pushing, but it was in the heat of the game and you had two teams that are fighting for that fourth spot.

“Nothing spectacular happened in there and I said after the game that the referee dealt well with it, spoke to the two captains and said keep the players a bit quiet.

“Nothing happened afterwards, so I think it’s all a bit blown up.

“To be fair, I don’t see the point now to talk about it because I don’t think after the game, anybody spoke negatively about it.

“We as a group lived with the situation, Everton lived with the situation, the managers lived with the situation, the referee dealt with the situation.

“Everton and Middlesbrough have to come out with a statement to the FA and hopefully that will solve all the problems.”

News of the charge was offset to a certain extent on Teesside by yesterday’s revelation that Schwarzer is to sign his new three-year extension next week despite persistent links with Manchester United and Arsenal among others.

“It’s very good because we had two or three goalkeepers running out of contract,” said Zenden. “It’s good for the team to know Mark will stay with us.

“It’s a very good thing for us because he’s a very good goalkeeper and I’ve heard there were several teams interested, so it’s good for Middlesbrough that they can keep him.

“I’m delighted for Middlesbrough because he’s a fantastic goalkeeper and if Middlesbrough had gone out there and tried to buy a goalkeeper of his quality, they would have paid a lot of money.

“Now they have a goalkeeper who is already here, and if you want to call it that way, they have signed him on a free and given him an extension.

“Mark has been here for eight years and he has seen the development the club has made.

“Of course, I can’t speak for Mark, but I think what has happened last year and what has happened this year, the club have definitely gone to a different level and I think Mark wants to be part of the exciting times we have at the moment and that are coming up in the future.”

Boro head for Norwich on Saturday knowing their FA Cup fourth round date will take place at Old Trafford after Manchester United squeezed past Conference side Exeter last night at the second attempt.

The Teessiders were only denied a Barclays Premiership victory at the Theatre of Dreams in October by Alan Smith’s late equaliser, and will relish another trip.

“It’s a major game to be playing against Manchester United again, and this time in a cup,” said Zenden. “Playing at Old Trafford is always a fantastic occasion and in the past, we have always had very interesting games.

“It will be an interesting game and I’m looking forward to that one.”