FA Fall-Out After Cardiff City / Reading Brawl

Both Cardiff City and Reading have been charged by the FA following Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at the CCS. The charges relate to a frenetic finale in which the Royals looked to have snatched the points, only for a relatively soft free-kick decision to allow Craig Bellamy to smash home an equaliser.

The Reading players were incensed when referee Gavin Ward awarded a late free-kick for a shove on sub Jon Parkin (two similar decisions went the other way in the previous 2 minutes). they protested furiously, causing a melee in which Royals midfielder Leigertwood alledgedly punch Michael Chopra in the back. He was landed with a three match ban for violent conduct.

The clubs have been hit with two counts of failing to control their players, while Bluebirds captain Craig Bellamy has also been charged with improper conduct for his remonstrations with the referree following the game.

No charges have yet been brought against Mr Ward for being ‘utterly sh**e’ and ‘failing to control his ego’.