Fabregas charged over alleged spitting incident

London, April 24 (DPA) Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was charged Friday with improper conduct, following accusations he spat at Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton.

There were angry scenes after the end of Hull's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final March 17.

Fabregas was not playing in the game as he recovered from a knee injury, but left the stand to celebrate with his team-mates.

'Fabregas has been charged for improper conduct on the night,' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told journalists.

'I always said we are always very open to co-operate with any investigation. I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence and there is nothing in there against Cesc.'

Hull manager Phil Brown has also been charged for comments he made about referee Mike Riley after the game.

A statement from the Football Association said Fabregas faces two charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game.

'One charge concerns his behaviour in coming onto the pitch after the final whistle, the second charge relates to an alleged spitting incident,' it said.

'The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.'

Brown has been charged with 'improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley.'

Both have until May 12 to respond.