Brown accused Fabregas of spitting at Horton after Hull’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday night. Arsenalmay be forced to hand over their club and CCTV footage as the FA attempt to untangle what happened.
But Brown is facing the prospect of an FA rap of his own for criticising referee Mike Riley. And sources claim the Gunners are considering reporting Horton for using foul and abusive language towards their players, particularly Fabregas, after the final whistle.
Having launched a new film to support their ‘Respect’ campaign only this week, the FA will take a dim view of Brown’s decision to question Riley’s integrity and have confirmed they are looking into his comments.
Hull have received an automatic £25,000 FA fine for collecting six bookings against Arsenal and Brown could be hit with another fine today, when he attends an FA hearing relating to his charge of improper conduct in the FA Cup third-round replay against Newcastle.
After Brown claimed Fabregas had spat at Horton’s feet in the Emirates Stadium tunnel, the FA yesterday asked Hull and both Brown and Horton to put forward their observations.
Fabregas could face two charges that carry the threat of a ban and a fine. One for the alleged spitting, which he has denied, and another for alleged aggressive behaviour towards Hull staff when he ran on to the pitch at the final whistle.
In his firm denial, Fabregas claimed he had never spat at anybody during his career.
Television footage from Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in 2005 appeared to show him spitting in Michael Ballack’s face.
But the pictures, which circulated on the internet yesterday, are not conclusive and UEFA never opened an investigation.
Riley and the match officials did not make mention of the behaviour of Fabregas in their report and, after being contacted by the FA, added they had not been privy to anything that took place after the game.
Having taken advice from the League Managers Association, Horton confirmed he intends to pursue the matter by saying: “I am speaking to the LMA and want to take this further.” Listing his objections to Fabregas, Brown added: “One, being on the pitch after the game. He had no right to be there. Two, the manner in which he was dressed. Three, the pictures verify the aggression he was showing towards our players and staff after the game.
“Whichever way you look at it, spitting at Brian Horton or spitting on the ground, it doesn’t matter. He is their club captain. Brian will receive the full support of the people of Hull, including my chairman.”
Brown claims he saw Fabregas spit at Horton and there is the possibility of “one or two” Hull players coming forward as witnesses.
Once they have heard back from Hull, the FA will check whether the Setanta cameras picked up any of the supposed fall-out and could also ask to see the Gunners’ in-house television and CCTV coverage.
It is believed Setanta do not have film of any confrontations.
Meanwhile, Fabregas is expected to resume full training this weekend following his knee injury.
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