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Brown: Why was Fabregas on the pitch dressed in that manner?
Tom Collomosse19 Mar 2009
The Cesc Fabregas “spitting” row deepened today, with Hull boss Phil Brown demanding to know why the Arsenal captain was on the pitch and his assistant Brian Horton considering a formal complaint against the Spaniard.
Hull claim Fabregas — who was not involved in the game because of injury — turned around and spat at Horton's feet as the players and staff from both clubs went down the tunnel after
Arsenal's 2-1 victory in last night's FA Cup quarter-final.
Fabregas denied the incident, but
Horton has taken advice from the League Managers' Association.
The Football Association have also written to Hull today to ask for their account of the events after Mike Riley did not include the incident in his referee's report. They will now wait for Hull's response before taking any action
Brown made his allegation immediately after last night's tie, and he was no less forthright on the matter today.
Listing his objections to Fabregas's behaviour, Brown said: “One: Being on the pitch after the game — he had no right to be there. Two: Being dressed in the manner in which he was dressed. Three: The pictures verify the aggression he was showing towards our players and staff after the game.
“I am not going to report it. If the FA want to investigate it, that is their decision. But if Brian Horton wants to take it further, he will get the full support of Hull City.
“It was a disgraceful act. Whichever way you look at it, spitting at Brian Horton or spitting on the ground, it doesn't matter. He addressed that spitting incident at my assistant manager, who has managed more than 1,000 games in his career.”
Fabregas issued a statement straight after the game insisting he had done nothing wrong.
He said: “I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match. I have never done this in my whole career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?”
However, television footage from Arsenal's Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in March 2005 appeared to show Fabregas, then 17, spitting in Michael Ballack's face, but UEFA never opened an investigation.
Brown also claimed Hull had “got up Arsenal's noses” and cited Wenger's failure to shake hands with him as proof of the Gunners' irritation.
Brown continued: “The handshake is no big deal to me. It just shows you exactly how we got up the noses of the Arsenal hierarchy. He wouldn't shake my hand at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League when we beat them 2-1 fairly, and he wouldn't shake my hand at the KC Stadium later this season when they beat us 2-1 fairly.
“The reaction of the Arsenal players, the reaction of the management, shows just how far we have come.”
The FA are currently investigating an allegation of spitting from the Championship match between Swansea and Doncaster on 21 February.
Swansea winger Leon Britton claimed that Doncaster midfielder Richie Wellens spat in his face during the Swans' 3-1 win last month.
Wellens denied it, and the governing body has yet to rule on the matter.
Cesc Fabregas appears to spit at Michael Ballack in a European clash
Reader views (24)
fabregas did not spit ballack, it's just for one second yelling
- Square, nottingham, 19/03/2009 15:52
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Oh, Evening Standard, what a beat up!
"Eyeball to eyeball"? Check out Fabergas's shoulde in relationship to Fagan's arm! He's behind him! What is your sub-editor doing.
I think an apology is in order for misleading your readers.....
- Mike Collins, Perth, Australia, 19/03/2009 00:44
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Dude, are you for real? This man Phil Brown should just accept the defeat and move on. The more comments and allegations he makes against the ref, Cesc, Wenger, the fans makes him a rabid lunatic. While the defeat is quite painful, having held on to the one goal lead for over an hour by stroke of some good fortune, the reality is the team deserving of the win in this game won otherwise, it would have been a travesty of the unimaginable sort! A 14-2 corner kicks in favour of Arsenal is a good measure here. The manner of the winning goal is irrelevant. Hull City was spared the shame of losing a replay at home!
- Toney, usa, 18/03/2009 23:32
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Isn't Hull about to enter the final struggle from the drop? What business does Brown have to compare Hull against Arsenal? The table doesn't lie, does it? This is simply a distraction from his tactical failure. Did he say, "We were not beaten by Arsenal?" His team was ran rugged specially in the second half. Was he watching the game or Wenger's body language?
- Getty, Minneapolis, USA, 18/03/2009 21:38
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Brown's memory seems to be equally fuzzy as there are photos of him and wenger shaking hands after the league game.
- Rich, London, 18/03/2009 16:59
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being an Arsenal fan I really disappointed with Fabregas......They should throw the book at him!!!
I'm guessing there was an incident from Hull's last visit (them winning!)....We cant have our Captain behaving like a yobbish thug!
Mark.
- Mark, london, 18/03/2009 16:59
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As usual jealousy about Arsenal. Having watched them for over 60 years, it has gone on for ages. You either love or hate them, it all seems sour grapes, after all arent they supposed to be MEN. Horton has done hie full share of nastiness over the years, the game began to get niggly when the time wasting came into it.
- John Hamilton, st.ives Cornwall, 18/03/2009 16:52
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Sorry Sam from Newcastle, Phil Brown HAS lied - he said Wenger didn't shake his hand after the game at the Emirates when Hull won 2-1 and this wasn't true. Anyway I don;t remember Brown or his staff complaining when they were awarded a 'goal' in the last round v Shef Utd whe the ball hadn't crossed the line meaning that they progressed to play at the Emirates last night. The guy is a hyprocrite, and a very comical one to boot - fake tan anyone?
- Dean, Staines, Middx, 18/03/2009 16:24
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Perhaps Phil Brown should have a look in the mirror. Grecian 2000, fake tan & capped teeth. All very nasty!
- Rob Gooner, North London, 18/03/2009 16:24
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"Being dressed in the manner in which he was dressed"
Has Phil Brown become the fashion police?
What next? Being Spanish in a built-up area?
- Ian T, Brighton, 18/03/2009 15:42
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So Fabregas has never spat at anyone.
Does he remember the Bayern Munich game when he spat in Michael Ballacks face. For those who want to see proof look at you tube.
Fabregas is a liar and I hope the FA throw the book at him.
Wenger storming down the tunnel and Fabregas' alleged behaviour sums up why the average football fan hates Arsenal
- Roberta, London, 18/03/2009 15:42
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Whatever you think about Phil Brown, he is a straight talking guy and I don't think he'd make it up whereas Fabregas has already lied or suffering from severe memory loss in his sentence about never having done this before. Just ask Michael Ballack.
Either way, he looks a total scruff on the pitch and shouldn't be there.
- Sam, Newcastle, 18/03/2009 15:24
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If proven, then a fine, and only a fine, there's no grounds for Fabregas to be suspended as he waa ni part of the game, however, if footage is inconclusive, then surely its simply an accusation, and possibly fining both clubs for bad publicity is fair.
- The Scrutineer, Sydney, Australia, 18/03/2009 15:14
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Theyre all a bunch of overpaid yobs!!
- Dc, London, 18/03/2009 14:24
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Gary M says: "Quite apart from the alleged spitting, what is Fabregas even doing on the pitch? He wasn't playing and wasn't a substitute. When I first saw photos I thought it was some yob who had run on. The FA should investigate this this."
And just what should the FA investigate? Being on the pitch after a match? For looking like a yob? Just what manner of heinous crime was committed meriting an investigation?
- Felix, Toronto, Canada, 18/03/2009 14:11
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I was at the game and just to clarify a few comments already made here; Wenger left the field just after the final whistle and went down the tunnel about 5 minutes before Brown so unless he has x-ray vision I am not surprised he didn't see this alleged incident; the disputed goal was definitley not offside as the keeper was the last to touch it before Gallas' headed it in; Brown claims that Wenger got his keeper booked - wrong - he got himself booked when Riley had finally had enough of his time wasting antics which he started from the moment that Hull had scored. If Brown wants to speak about sporting behaviour he should put his own house in order first.
- Steve Gooner, London, England, 18/03/2009 13:58
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Robin - i'm not a Hull fan, who do you think you are?
"an unsavioury pair" Hull have done well this year, beating many of the so called big clubs, and deserved at least a draw last night. Should fun to see Wolves come up and go down next year.
Good old Ar-- Wenger, should visit Spec Savers
- David, London, 18/03/2009 13:12
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Rules of the game state that because the GK touched it last in the direction of Gallas, he is not offside (for those who still think it was). And Phil brown twice changed his story from 1) saying his assistant told him this happened on the pitch and then 2) saying he saw it with his own eyes happen in the tunnel - now ... tell me these dont sound like the words of a confused, bitter manager with relegation/the chance of being fired on his mind!
- Jonathan, London, 18/03/2009 13:11
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socking news..Wenger did not see it!!! what was Fabregras dpoing on the pitch..if the accusations are correct,then he must be dealt with...no room in the game for this filthy habbit....and Gallas was off side.
- Evs, uxbridge, 18/03/2009 12:53
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What an unsavoury pair Brown and Horton are. I remember Brown when he was assistant at Bolton when he regularily got into arguements with the opposition and their supporters. The pair do not sit easily in the Premier League. Perhaps with a bit of luck their club can still be relegated.
- Robin Brittain, Wolverhampton UK, 18/03/2009 10:55
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Wenger didn't see it ..... Surprise!
- Paul, London, 18/03/2009 10:52
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Quite apart from the alleged spitting, what is Fabregas even doing on the pitch? He wasn't playing and wasn't a substitute. When I first saw photos I thought it was some yob who had run on. The FA should investigate this this.
- Gary M, London, 18/03/2009 10:29
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The fact Arsene Wenger did not see anything confirms that the incident did happen.
- Nat, New Malden, UK, 18/03/2009 10:17
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Unless Cesc has his coat on backwards and a the neck rotation of an owl, then all that so-called "eyeball to eyeball" picture shows is him obliviously walking past Fagan who is several yards away. Shoddy, to say the least.
- Paul London, London, UK, 18/03/2009 09:25
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