FA charges Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel with violent conduct
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was charged with violent conduct for appearing to stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea during Sunday’s (March 22) Premier League clash, said England's Football Association (FA).
The incident, in stoppage-time of United’s 2-1 victory at Anfield, was missed by match officials - but was caught on video, the FA said in a statement.
Slovakia international Skrtel appeared to tread on De Gea’s calf in the final seconds as Liverpool chased an equaliser.
The Slovakia centre-back has until 1800 GMT on Tuesday (March 24) to respond to the charge.
If found guilty, Skrtel would face a three-match ban, which would rule him out of the Premier League matches against Arsenal and Newcastle and the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn.
During the match, the Reds already had to cope without Steven Gerrard, who was sent off less than a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute for stamping on United’s Ander Herrera.
The defeat left Liverpool five points behind bitter rivals United in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish in the Premier League.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, Reddit.
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