Football: Barry charged over derby conduct

LONDON: Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has been charged over his behaviour during his side’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United, the Football Association announced yesterday. The England international is accused of ‘using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official’ and has until Thursday to respond to the charge. The charge reportedly concerns an incident that occurred after the end of Sunday’s match. If Barry accepts the accusation, he will be banned for one match but if he attempts to contest it, the suspension could be increased to two matches. The FA are investigating after United defender Rio Ferdinand was struck by a coin as he celebrated van Persie’s goal, while Greater Manchester Police arrested 13 people and charged nine of them for a range of offences.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2012.