Early end looms for Hleb

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Television replays appeared to show the Belarus star slapping Murty in the face in the second half of Arsenal's 2-0 win on Saturday and although it was missed by referee Peter Walton and his assistants, it was spotlighted on BBC TV's 'Match of the Day'.

An FA spokesman said: "The first thing is to wait and see the referee's report but that is not necessarily the end of the matter."

If found guilty of violent conduct Hleb would face a three-match ban - with Arsenal now only left with games against Derby, Everton and Sunderland to complete their season.

The FA can call for video evidence from any match if they deem it necessary to apply justice to a clear offence which a referee has failed to punish.

The circumstances are certainly not without precedent as far as Arsenal are concerned.

Nearly 20 years ago their midfielder Paul Davis was banned for nine matches after TV footage showed him retaliating to verbal abuse with an off-the-ball punch which broke a Southampton player's jaw during a match.

Although Hleb's slap appeared to be only a comparatively minor contact, Arsenal's former striker Jeremie Aliadiere was recently banned for four matches after appealing against a red card while playing for Middlesbrough having been sent off following a spat with Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.

Alan Shearer, former England striker and BBC TV soccer pundit recalled the Aliadiere case in referring to Hleb and said: "I think the FA have to do something about this one, too."

Reading manager Steve Coppell, who saw his side dragged deeper into the relegation fight with a 2-0 defeat at The Emirates, admits he does not understand the system by which players can be suspended for offences the referee has missed.