Brian Horton, Hull City’s assistant manager, is to report Cesc Fabregas after the Spanish International allegedly spat at him in Hull’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup on Tuesday. Fabregas wasn’t playing in the match as he is still recovering from an injury suffered against Liverpool in December. Fellow Spaniard – Xabi Alonso – tackled Fabregas in a 50/50 challenge, which resulted in the young midfielders injury.
Fabregas was quoted as saying: “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? I can understand the frustration of losing a game to a dubious goal, that has happened to me many times in my career as well. But this is not the fault of me or any of the Arsenal players.”
Phil Brown also wade in with his recollection of events “I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant manager down the tunnel,” Brown said at a post-match news conference after William Gallas’s controversial late header knocked his side out. He spat at his feet.”
As usual Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he had not witnessed any incidents at the end of the game.
“I went early and haven’t seen anything,” he told journalists. “I don’t know what he has seen. I’m sorry I cannot speak of something I have not seen.”
Phil Brown also stated that ‘Brian Horton would receive the backing of everyone at Hull‘. He also spoke again about the Arsenal captain’s presence on the pitch at the final whistle: “One, being on the pitch after the game – whether there is a ruling against that I have no idea but he had no right to be there. Two, dressed in the manner in which he was dressed. Three, the pictures in the national papers verify the aggression he was showing towards players and staff after the game. I could go on but I’m not one for crying over spilt milk. I then witnessed him going down the tunnel and turning round and spitting at my assistant manager’s feet. Whichever way you want to look at it, he addressed that spitting incident at my assistant manager who has managed probably 1200 games in his career. Disgraceful act.I’m not going to report it, I’m not going tittle-tattling to the FA – if they want to investigate that’s their decision, if Brian Horton wants to take it further he’ll get the full support of Hull City.”
