Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji has denied an FA charge of violent conduct and will plead his case at a hearing to be scheduled. The charge relates to an incident in the 86th minute of the 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, when the Senegal defender appeared to shove West Brom's Darren Fletcher in the face at a set-piece. Referee Craig Pawson did speak to both players at the time but the game's governing body have confirmed that the incident was not seen by any of the three match officials. The incident was caught on video and highlighted on Match of the Day on Saturday night. Djillobodji had until 6pm last night to respond to the charge. The Echo understands he has denied the offence so will now go before a panel, with a date to be scheduled. Having been sent off against Hull City earlier this season, he would face a four game ban if found guilty, keeping him out of action until March and leaving Sunderland desperately short of defensive options. please log in to view this image
I wonder if he has been advised to do this because he'd be available for the Tottenham game, maybe. Not like he's got any sort of defence, is it
No defence at all. I'd rather he miss the Spurs game so we get him back quicker and get a settled defence for the back end of the season.
I've just checked, if he misses the Tottenham game, he's back for Man City. If he plays in the Tottenham game, then he comes back for Middlesboro. We are that desperate at the moment for defenders, maybe it's better he plays to help us out and then comes back for Boro game.
Lets hope he doesn't get slapped with an extra game for having the nerve to deny it. Was out of order when it happened to Turner but this time the FA would be just to slap an extra game on. It's already 4 game minimum because he was sent off earlier in the season.
He will probably get off with the ban come out of the hearing trip over, get injured and be out for 6 months ! jesus why all these injuries ? what the hell is going on.
It's a 4 match ban. They changed the rule on the extra game for frivolous appeals a couple of seasons ago so he'll be kissing for 4 games. I watched the replay a few times and I reckon he meant to push him as he went with both hands but the separated and he ended up punching him!! Get OJ Simpsons defence lawyer and he might get off with it
To be fair both he and Rodders looked better than most against WBA, but I only saw the TV highlights which can be miss leading.
Well that's another unavailable for selection - c'mon Joleon, show him how it should be done: From BBC " please log in to view this image Darren Fletcher and Papy Djilobodji clashed towards the end of Saturday's game at The Hawthorns Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji will miss the next four matches after being found guilty of violent conduct. The 28-year-old had denied a Football Association charge following an incident in which his arm struck the face of West Brom's Darren Fletcher in his side's 2-0 defeat on Saturday. But the Senegalese was found guilty by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday. The incident was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video. Former Chelsea player Djilobodji had the ban extended by one game having been sent off once already this season - against Hull on 19 November. He will miss the home game against Tottenham on 31 January, followed by Crystal Palace (away), Southampton (home) and Everton (away)."
