Ginola puts his faith in leniency of FA panel

David Ginola will be hoping for leniency when he faces a Football Association disciplinary panel today to answer a charge of misconduct. The Aston Villa player could be given a fine of more than £100,000 and a six-match suspension, although the reality is that he will not receive such a harsh punishment.

Ginola is in trouble after laying hands on the fourth official during Villa's match with Leicester on 1 December. The Frenchman was sent off following a clash with Leicester's Dennis Wise, but then became involved in a touchline confrontation with Clive Wilkes, the fourth official. Ginola waved a finger at Wilkes and then tapped him on the side of the head before heading to the dressing-rooms after the intervention of the Villa manager, John Gregory, the first team coach, Stuart Gray, and the physiotherapist, Jim Walker. The 35-year-old has already served an automatic three-game ban for the red card.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been charged with misconduct by the FA after an incident in their First Division match with West Bromwich at Molineux on 2 December. Several players had to be separated after the Albion midfielder Jordao committed a two-footed tackle on the Wolves midfielder Alex Rae.

After studying video evidence, the FA has charged Dave Jones' side while West Bromwich, who won the game 1-0, have escaped any punishment.