Clubs and players charged in week of shame

An abysmal week for football's reputation continued yesterday when three players, including Arsenal's Thierry Henry, were charged by the Football Association with on-field misconduct, and Everton joined Fulham in being charged with failing to control their players.

The FA also held talks with the FA of Wales to discuss their joint investigation into the crowd disturbances at Sunday's FA Cup tie between Cardiff and Leeds. The clubs are likely to have to wait until early next week for an official statement on what charges, if any, they will face. It was announced, however, after police advice, that Cardiff's fourth-round tie at Tranmere on 27 January will have a reduced capacity and a 1pm lunchtime kick-off to cut the risks of repeated crowd trouble.

Two other investigations were either imminent or ongoing last night. Evidence is being collated of hooliganism at the New Den on Thursday, when a meat pie and two plastic bottles were hurled by Millwall fans at the assistant referee, Phil Barston, during the First Division game against Birmingham. And inquiries continue into events at Stamford Bridge in midweek, when missiles were thrown at players during Chelsea's Worthington Cup semi-final with Tottenham.

All this came in a week when three footballers were charged in connection with an alleged night-club assault and a chairman, Cardiff's Sam Hammam, was revealed to have a convicted hooligan as a minder. The "beautiful game" has rarely seemed such a misnomer.

Henry was charged with improper conduct for an outburst at the referee, Graham Poll, at the end of Arsenal's match with Newcastle on 18 December. Arsenal lost 3-1 and Henry had to be restrained by his team-mates and the club physio, Gary Lewin. Henry was furious with the official, who sent off Ray Parlour for two bookable offences when Arsenal were leading 1-0, and awarded Newcastle a controversial penalty.

Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, has consistently defended his players through a series of disciplinary charges. "I don't know if Thierry lost the plot," he said in the wake of the Newcastle game. "It is not my job to be a policeman. Look, my players are human beings." Henry will appeal against his charge.

The two others charged were Fulham's Barry Hayles and West Ham's Hayden Foxe following their bust-up when their sides met on 3 November. Hayles' charge was his second in 24 hours for violent behaviour. On Thursday he was charged in connection with the mêlée in Fulham's Premiership meeting against Everton on 8 December. That was the incident for which both those clubs have been accused of failing to control their players. If Hayles is found guilty of both offences, he faces a likely suspension of six matches as well as a heavy fine.

Everton said they plan to launch a "vigorous" defence of the charge of failing to control their players. "We have asked the FA for a personal hearing so that we can state our case," Everton's spokesman, Ian Ross, said. Walter Smith, the club's manager, has already criticised the sending-off of David Weir in the Fulham game and was equally defiant yesterday.

"We felt pretty hard done by on the day and we will certainly be vigorously presenting our evidence to a tribunal," he said. Everton and Fulham could face fines of up to £250,000 if found guilty. Fulham have echoed Everton in promising to mount a "vigorous" defence.

On a busy day for the FA, it became increasingly likely that the ruling body will take action over Thursday's incidents at the New Den. The FA is still "awaiting the reports from the match officials" before deciding how to proceed but it seems to be a case of when, rather than if, charges will be brought.

Millwall's manager, Mark McGhee, and his counterpart, Steve Bruce, could face disciplinary action as well. McGhee was banished from the touchline for verbally abusing the fourth official while Bruce was sent to the stands after protesting at the dismissal of Curtis Woodhouse. McGhee later admitted having "lost the plot" and promised his club would root out the troublemakers, one of whom was apprehended by police and five of whom were ejected

"Missile-throwing is a serious matter," Theo Paphitis, Millwall's chairman, said. "The man with the meat pie will be prosecuted, and all those thrown out will never be allowed back as long as I'm chairman."

The Labour MP, Roger Godsiff, saw his Football Spectators' Bill, which seeks the reintroduction of safe standing areas to Premiership grounds, blocked by the Government and Conservative whips at its second reading. Godsiff plans to present it again on 12 April.