Reyes risks ban
Jose Antonio Reyes was today set to learn his fate on a violent conduct charge as Arsenal risked another setback in a difficult week.
Reyes faces the prospect of joining Dennis Bergkamp on the sidelines for the next three games as a result of the disciplinary hearing.
Bergkamp yesterday lost his appeal for wrongful dismissal after being sent off in Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Sheffield United last weekend.
As a result, his automatic three-match ban will start with immediate effect - ruling him out of this weekend’s game against Southampton, as well as next week’s cup replay and a home league match against Portsmouth.
To make matters worse for Arsenal, who lost their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Bayern Munich 3-1 on Tuesday, Reyes could be ruled out of the same three games.
That would leave Arsene Wenger with Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie as his frontline strikers as he looks to recover from the setback in Munich.
Under the Football Association’s ‘fast-track’ rules, Reyes cannot attend today’s hearing – but Arsenal were entitled to submit written or video evidence to defend him.
The winger is said to have slapped Andy Liddell amid the melee which followed Danny Cullip’s tackle on Cesc Fabregas. Bergkamp also pushed Cullip in the face to earn his red card.
Reyes’ alleged offence was missed by referee Neale Barry, leading to the FA charging him after reviewing video evidence.
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