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General Sports News

Fabregas facing FA charges

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 24/04/2009

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has been charged with two counts of improper conduct following the spitting storm which overshadowed last month's FA Cup clash with Hull City.

Fabregas was not part of the Gunners side which won a quarter-final encounter 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on March 17.

However, his conduct after the final whistle when he entered the field of play and was alleged by the Hull management team to have spat in their direction, led to an investigation by the Football Association.

Tigers boss Phil Brown has also been charged with improper conduct following comments he made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley.

Elsewhere, Premier League betting favourites Manchester United will have Rio Ferdinand back at the heart of their defence for Saturday evening's crunch encounter with Tottenham Hotspur.

The England defender sat out Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Portsmouth which sent the Red Devils back to the top of the table as Sir Alex Ferguson was concerned over his recovery from a recent groin problem.

But after a further week of recovery, Ferdinand has been confirmed in the squad for the visit of Spurs.

However, Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard after their talismanic skipper was ruled out of Saturday's Premier League trip to Hull City after failing to recover from a groin problem.

Gerrard has been sidelined since the 3-1 Champions League quarter-first leg defeat Chelsea on April 8.

In cricket, Andrew Flintoff has been forced to return to England to have knee surgery after injuring himself while playing in the Indian Premier League.

The England star had complained of discomfort in his right knee during his brief spell with Chennai Super Kings.

Scans showed that the Lancashire all-rounder suffered a slight medial meniscal tear in the knee and he will undergo an operation early next week which is likely to keep him sidelined for up to five weeks.

In Formula One, Nico Rosberg dominated the second practice session for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, the Williams driver being marginally quicker than Renault's Fernando Alonso.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who had been quickest in the morning session, was back in 11th in the afternoon.

In the world of rugby union, Sale Sharks have continued their preparations for next season by snapping up Mahonri Schwalger and Marika Vakacegu on two-year contracts.

Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers have been rocked by the news that Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi has been handed a four-week ban.

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