Brown vows to 'fully support' Horton

Hull must decide whether to lodge a formal complaint to the Football Association over their allegation Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas spat at assistant manager Brian Horton.

Tigers boss Phil Brown claims to have witnessed Fabregas – who categorically denies the accusations – spitting in Horton’s direction as they went down the tunnel following the Gunners’ controversial 2-1 victory in Tuesday night’s FA Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.

Neither referee Mike Riley nor any of the other match officials mentioned such an incident in their report, and so the FA have written to Hull asking for their version of events.

The League Managers’ Association confirmed they had been contacted by Horton, saying in a statement: “As the incidents fall firmly within the jurisdiction of the Football Association, who are making their investigations in the prescribed manner, neither the LMA nor Brian Horton will be making any further comment at this time”.

Until any such official notification is received, the FA cannot take the matter any further.