Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for branding Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy a “cheat.”
The FA said Wenger had until November 18 to respond.
Wenger made the remark after Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester United in a fiery encounter. Wenger was livid over Van Nistelrooy’s knee-high tackle on Ashley Cole.
“We know how Ruud van Nistelrooy behaves,” Wenger said. “He can only cheat people. We know him very well.”
The referee took no action against Van Nistelrooy. But the FA, acting on taped evidence, later suspended him for three games for “serious foul play.”
FA chairman Geoff Thompson has also called for a summit meeting between the two clubs to avoid “any repeat of the adverse publicity that surrounded the game.”
Players and team officials are accused of brawling in the stadium tunnel after United ended Arsenal’s record unbeaten league streak at 49 games.
