Football: FA charges Batty with misconduct

DAVID BATTY is in further trouble with the Football Association after being charged with misconduct.

The combative Newcastle United and England midfielder is alleged to have pushed the referee David Elleray after being sent off for the third time this season at Blackburn Rovers on 10 May.

Batty, who is with Glenn Hoddle's squad preparing for the World Cup, is already ruled out for the first five matches of next term, following three dismissals. He now faces the possibility of an additional one-match suspension if found guilty of misconduct.

The FA spokesman, Adrian Bevington, said: "David Batty has been charged with misconduct relating to an incident which occurred following his sending- off by Mr Elleray at Blackburn. He has 14 days to respond and request a personal hearing."

Batty, 29, was dismissed at Ewood Park for allegedly punching the Rovers midfielder Garry Flitcroft, and intends to use video evidence to prove his innocence.

Batty's other two dismissals during the season came against Aston Villa and Derby County. Ironically, the combative midfielder had never been sent off in his career before he joined Newcastle in February 1996.