Henchoz denies spitting claims

The Liverpool defender Stéphane Henchoz's fate following spitting allegations made against him is set to rest on video evidence if the referee Alan Wiley confirms he did not see the incident.

Neil Warnock, the Sheffield United manager, claimed Henchoz spat at him at the end of Tuesday's Worthington Cup semi-final second-leg match at Anfield, which the Merseysiders won 2-0 after extra-time to clinch the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Henchoz and the Liverpool manager, Gérard Houllier, insist the player spat on the ground, not at the Blades' manager. It is believed that referee Wiley did not see the incident and has not included it in his report. A Football Association spokesman said: "We will have to wait for that report and confirmation in writing of what the referee saw. But, if he didn't see it, we will then want to see video evidence before deciding whether there is a case to answer."

If the referee does leave out any reference to the angry exchanges, in which the Liverpool coach Sammy Lee had to pull Henchoz away from the rumpus, it leaves the way open for the FA to act.

But Warnock may also find himself in trouble if the FA scrutinises the video. He was restrained by Lee while shouting abuse at Henchoz and demonstrating to Jamie Carragher that he believed he was spat at. The FA spokesman added: "There are charges which cover threatening behaviour, abusive and insulting language."

Henchoz has strenuously denied that he spat at Warnock, saying: "I did spit but it was on the ground and not at him. That's it. I definitely did not spit in his direction. I was happy that we had won the game and I told him that, but I insist that I did not spit at him."

Houllier said: "I saw the incident, Henchoz spat on the ground. He was not happy because he knew Neil had been winding up the players.

"He didn't spit in his direction, but only on the floor. I can't see there being any fall-out from the FA, that would be stupid. If they do I hope they get involved with what Neil said because I heard some things when I was there."

But Warnock claimed: "Sammy Lee and Henchoz know what went off, I'm sure there will be a reason for spitting on the floor. But he was the only one. All the other Liverpool players were fantastic to us, Steven Gerrard was great."

Houllier had been angered by Warnock's antics in both legs, and the winding-up and goading from the Bramall Lane camp. There had been taunts about the relative costs of both sides and accusations that Liverpool players refused to swap shirts after the first leg.

Houllier said: "Don't get me wrong, Neil is doing a good job and has put together a good team. What I don't like is when he says: 'My team is worth £600,000 and Liverpool's cost £100m'. But don't forget we recouped more than half of that. We won five trophies, were twice in Champions' League, and if you were in my position you would defend my team and club.

"You can't say his turnover is £2.6m, and that's the salary of one of our players. That's lack of respect and he doesn't need to do that. He's got a good team, he's doing a good job and they have a good chance to go up."

The Blades have taken the defender Richard Edghill on a non-contract basis for a month after he proved himself in a recent two-week trial at Bramall Lane. The 28-year-old, who made 180 appearances during a 10-year spell with Manchester City, was recently released by Wigan Athletic.

Edghill could now figure in United's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Ipswich, although Warnock said: "He's not quite fully fit but may be an important player to have around at this moment in time with so many injuries developing. He can play a number of positions and will be good cover – we will review the situation after a month."