MAN CITY CHARGED BY FA OVER PLAYER CONDUCT IN SPURS DRAW

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Manchester City have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players after Simon Hooper’s mistake at the end of Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham.

Several of City’s stars, including an irate Erling Haaland, surrounded the official after he reversed a decision to give advantage as Jack Grealish bore down on goal in stoppage time.

Haaland will not be punished for his social media post saying ‘what the f***’ after being shown a replay of the incident but City are in the dock for the third time in 12 months.

The Premier League champions have three days to respond to the FA charge before it is heard by an independent panel.

Their third such charge in under a year means a hefty fine is expected.

City were handed a £75,000 punishment in February after two separate incidents during victory over Arsenal.

The Gunners were fined £65,000, with another £20,000 suspended, following that night and City’s fine for this indiscretion is expected to be higher.

Anthony Taylor, who was the referee for the Arsenal fixture and fourth official on Sunday, was the subject of a sarcastic barb from Pep Guardiola.

Taylor was labelled ‘the master of commander who knows everything,’ by the City boss.

Guardiola did keep his counsel immediately after the Spurs draw though, shaking Hooper’s hand on the pitch and opting against remonstrating with the officials.

The Catalan made a point of saying he would not be following Mikel Arteta’s lead in becoming outspoken on refereeing decisions, while City have remained tight-lipped on Hooper’s gaffe.

But their players couldn’t contain their anger as Haaland stormed down the tunnel after a third consecutive draw piled on the pressure ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to Aston Villa.

An FA statement read: ‘Manchester City have been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 after their players surrounded the match official during the Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 3 December 2023.

‘It’s alleged that, during the 94th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure their players do not behave in a way which is improper.’