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FA charges Alcaraz for spitting on player

Comment: 0 November 8th, 2011 by: admin

In a bizarre development, the FA has slapped charges on Wigan Athletic’s Antolin Alcaraz after he was seen spitting on Wolves’ Richard Stearman last Sunday.

Although officials initially missed the incident, which occurred right before the Wolves’ 3-1 home win at the Molineux Stadium, video footage showing Alcaraz actually spitting at Stearman.

Reports state Alcaraz’s actions resulted from his denied plea for a penalty.  The incident came as part of the brawl that took place after the Wolves’ Christophe Berra argued that Alcaraz’s claims were inaccurate.

It was then that Alcaraz was seen spitting over Berra’s shoulder at Stearman.

Based on the obtained evidence, the FA decided to take retrospective action on the matter after discussing it with referee Lee Probert.

According to reports, Alcaraz might be facing a ruling as drastic as a three-match ban for his actions.

An official statement from the FA revealed that Alcaraz has ‘until 6pm on 8 November 2011 to respond to the charge.  If the player admits the charge he may accept an automatic three-match suspension.’

Circulating speculations suggest that Alcaraz’s spit in fact landed on Berra, but Stearman was quick to assure that he was the victim.

‘I can confirm it happened and that it was me rather than Berra.

‘A couple of the lads have spoken on it and said it was out of order and it needs to be stamped out,’ he said.  ‘I’ll let other people talk about it and let other people deal with it.  I won’t push for anything, it’s not one of those things. It’s not nice.’

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, however, also addressed the matter, stressing that such acts should not be condoned.

‘I haven’t seen [the incident] but spitting is taboo,’ the coach told reporters in a press conference.  ‘That’s unacceptable behaviour and I think anyone in here would react accordingly.  If that’s what happened, he shouldn’t be doing it.’

Stronger opinions, however, came from Wolves midfielder David Edwards who scored the second of their three goals during the match.

‘That is out of order,’ said Edwards, speaking of Alcaraz’s spitting.  ‘That shouldn’t be brought into the game and hopefully he should be pulled up on that.

‘I’m sure with the television footage as well; some sort of action should be taken.’

The match saw the Wolves begin their work on Wigan at the 31^st minute with a goal by Jamie O’Hara, who also set up the team’s two goals made later on.

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