KEOWN CHARGED

Last updated : 24 December 2002 By editor

David Alexander

The Guardian

The Arsenal defender Martin Keown has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following a clash with Ruud van Nistelrooy on December 7.

Television cameras showed that Keown swung his arm at the Manchester United forward and, after the referee Dermot Gallagher missed the incident, the FA's video advisory panel decided there was a case to answer.

Keown becomes the third Arsenal player to be charged by the FA this season following the captain Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp.

Keown, who could be banned for three games if found guilty, has 14 days to respond.