Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has been charged by the English FA for violent conduct, and faces a potential three-match ban. The FA confirmed that Aguero’s tribunal will take place tomorrow, with the Argentine having until tomorrow to reply, so as to not miss facing Manchester United.
The incident in question was Aguero’s widely reported clash with West Ham defender Winston Reid, as the pair tussled for supremacy following City keeper Willy Caballero’s goal-kick. However, television replays showed that Aguero swung his arm out and caught Reid, leading to his substitution.
Since referee Andre Marriner has confirmed that he did not see the incident in question, the FA have seen fit to charge the Argentine striker, with a possible three-match ban on the line. Aguero has until the evening of 31st August to defend his stance, although that could possible see his punishment increase to 4 matches.
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A ban for Aguero would be terrible news for Manchester City, as the Argentine has started the season on fire, with Manchester City thriving on his goals. Losing his firepower for the pivotal early season clash against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United would make it a tough debut in the Manchester Derby for Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard employed Arsene Wenger’s infamous ‘did-not-see-it’ defence when quizzed about the incident, saying “I did not see anything. I will see what you are talking about on TV and, after that, we are going to see.”
However, it appears the FA did see it, and have proceeded to charge Aguero, with the punishment, if found guilty, to be administered soon as well.
Here is the statement published by the FA, in full :
Sergio Aguero has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
The Manchester City forward was involved in an incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid in the 76th minute of the game on Sunday [28 August 2016].
He has until 6pm on Wednesday 31 August to reply.
Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.
Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.
For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.
