Fábregas feels FA's wrath with two improper conduct charges

Fabregas walks away from Hull's assistant manager Brian Horton after Arsenal's FA Cup win. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Cesc Fábregas and Phil Brown have been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over their actions at the end of Arsenal's FA Cup fifth-round win over Hull on 17 March.

Hull submitted evidence to the FA following allegations that the Arsenal captain Fábregas, who did not play in the match because of a knee injury, but came on to the pitch at full-time to celebrate with his team-mates, spat at their assistant manager, Brian Horton. The FA has decided to pursue matters further against Fábregas and the Hull manager, who was critical of the referee Mike Riley and his officiating crew after the game.

"Cesc Fábregas and Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct," read a statement released by the FA this afternoon. "Fábregas faces two charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game. One charge concerns his behaviour in coming on to the pitch after the final whistle, the second charge relates to an alleged spitting incident. The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.

"Brown is charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley. Fábregas and Brown have until 12 May to respond."

Fábregas denied spitting at Horton when the allegations were initially made, saying: "I have never done this in my whole career," and the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, defended the midfielder this afternoon. "I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence," said Wenger. "There is nothing in there against Cesc."

Brown, who is yet to comment on the charges, had accused Riley of a "disgraceful" showing. "We've not been beaten by Arsenal, we've been beaten by the referee and the linesman," he said after the defeat at Emirates Stadium. "The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure. You'd better ask Mike Riley how much that will cost us. I'm sure he wouldn't have the faintest idea."