Arsene Wenger has accused the Football Association of being influenced by the clothes Cesc Fabregas was wearing in their decision to level disciplinary charges against the Arsenal captain for his behaviour after the stormy FA Cup match with Hull City last month.
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live (second-half)
Fabregas has until May 12 to respond to charges of improper conduct for an alleged spitting incident in the tunnel and his behaviour when coming on to the pitch at the end of the game. The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.
Hull manager Phil Brown accused Fabregas of spitting at his assistant, Brian Horton, and questioned whether the midfielder, who did not play in the match, should have been allowed on the pitch. Brown also accused Fabregas of acting aggressively and drew particular attention to the 21-year-old's attire of jeans and puffa jacket.
Wenger, though, is adamant that Fabregas did nothing wrong. "Certainly if he had been wearing a black tie he would not have been charged," the Arsenal manager said. "Such a big thing has been made of that story that they [the FA] go further. I know how it works at the FA.
"I thought he was dressed in a proper way. There is a famous expression, do not judge people by the way they dress, so why should he suddenly do it? Why should a boy of 20 not be capable to dress in a relaxed way?"
If the charges are proved, Fabregas would face a potential suspension. "If they have something we accept to be punished," Wenger said. "I personally looked at the reports, I looked at the video evidence, and there is nothing in there really against Cesc.
"Frankly, there was enough evidence in what I've seen that the case should have been dropped. I don't envisage with what I have seen that he could be suspended."
Wenger did, however, say that he would now tell his non-playing squad members not to go on to the pitch after a match.
Fabregas has categorically denied the spitting allegation, but Hull yesterday maintained that Brown and Horton were telling the truth.
"It is no surprise to me that the FA has decided to bring the charges," Hull chairman Paul Duffen said. "I have always been confident in Phil Brown's and Brian Horton's accounts of events."
Brown has also been charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley. All the charges will be heard by a four-man tribunal that will be chaired by a QC.
Wenger, meanwhile, yesterday confirmed that Tomas Rosicky was out for the season, while Johan Djourou, Manuel Almunia and Emmanuel Adebayor will have fitness tests ahead of tomorrow's match against Middlesbrough.
