FA criticised over Barton's bum deal

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Players' union chief Gordon Taylor defended Barton and criticised the FA for failing to act on the season's most blatant act of cheating by Tottenham's Didier Zokora on the same weekend.

Taylor said: "I have to wonder why the FA have chosen to pursue this one and not the case of Zokora, given that diving is one of the things the game is supposed to be going after.

"I can see why they felt they had to act on Barton but I think they have been a bit high handed. They could have just sent him a letter in private.

"This was clearly a bit of fun that had been preceded by him going over to a disabled fan and handing him his shirt. How many players do you see doing that?

"I had a PFA representative at the game and he told me the abuse Joey had been getting about his brother from the crowd was horrendous."

Everton fans made constant and obscene reference to Michael Barton's part in the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker last year.

City have requested a personal hearing at Soho Square for their midfielder, who they believe has been victimised because of his reputation.

Barton, who is expected to be fined, will travel to London next Tuesday to contest a charge of improper conduct and it is understood that the FA's decision not to act against Zokora, who dived to get a penalty, is likely to form a small part of City's presentation.

A City statement said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Football Association have decided to charge Joey Barton with improper conduct. The player accepts that some elements of his behaviour were ill advised and he apologises to anybody who may have felt offended.

"We believe the FA should have taken into account the context of the incident and noted he behaved without any malice and in a light-hearted manner."

The FA, however, have precedent on their side. Arsenal full back Sammy Nelson was suspended for two weeks and fined a fortnight's wages for dropping his shorts in 1979 and Wimbledon's players were fined £750 each and the club an additional £5,000 for a similar incident in 1988.

Taylor added: "I can't see many Everton fans being that upset about what Joey did. With Zokora, it is different. His actions changed the game and arguably robbed Portsmouth of a point."