F.A. Statment:
The FA has today issued a number of charges following scenes of disorder at the match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, 21st September.
Arsenal have been charged with misconduct for failing to ensure the proper behaviour of their players. This constitutes a breach of FA Rule E21(a).
Six Arsenal players have also been charged:
Ashley Cole has been charged with improper conduct (breach of FA Rule E1) for his involvement in a confrontation with Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle
Martin Keown has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for confronting Manchester United player Ruud van Nistelrooy following the penalty miss, and with violent behaviour (breach of Rule E2) for striking van Nistelrooy on the back of the head following the final whistle
Lauren has been charged with two counts of improper conduct (E1), for confronting van Nistelrooy after Patrick Vieira's sending-off, and for confronting Manchester United player Ryan Giggs after the final whistle. He has also been charged with two counts of violent behaviour (E2), for kicking out at Manchester United player Quinton Fortune following the penalty award, and for forcibly pushing van Nistelrooy in the back following the final whistle
Jens Lehmann has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for confronting referee Steve Bennett after Patrick Vieira's second yellow card and for then persistently seeking to confront van Nistelrooy
Ray Parlour has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for confronting van Nistelrooy after the final whistle, and with violent behaviour (E2) for grabbing at Manchester United player Gary Neville from behind shortly afterwards
Patrick Vieira has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off, and for instead seeking to confront van Nistelrooy and engaging in a verbal exchange with Fourth Official Neale Barry
In addition, action has been taken against the following Manchester United players:
Ryan Giggs has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for his involvement in a confrontation with Lauren after the match had ended
Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged with improper conduct (E1) for confronting Martin Keown at the conclusion of the match
Philip Neville has been warned as to his future conduct regarding a confrontation with Lauren following Vieira's sending-off
All parties have 14 days to respond to the charges.