Bowyer charged with violent conduct

Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer was today charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The charge stems from his unseemly brawl with team-mate Kieron Dyer towards the end of Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa at St James’ Park, which resulted in a straight red card.

Bowyer now serves an automatic four-match ban, starting with Sunday’s Barclays Premiership match at Tottenham and including the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 17, as it was his second dismissal this season in the Barclays Premiership.

However, the FA’s disciplinary commission could yet decide to increase the punishment when they hear Bowyer’s case on April 22.

Dyer, meanwhile, will discover later today whether his appeal to the FA against his red card has been successful.