Vieira charged with violent conduct

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association (FA) on Tuesday following an incident involving Stoke’s Glenn Whelan in Monday’s Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium.

The France star, who could be banned, has until 6pm local time (1800GMT) on Thursday to respond to the charge. A regulatory commission will hear the charge on Friday.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was furious after Vieira kicked out at Whelan following a challenge early on in the 1-1 draw.

Pulis urged the FA to take retrospective action, pleading for “parity” after Stoke defender Robert Huth was banned in October when television cameras caught him striking West Ham’s Matthew Upson.

“We had a player given a three-game suspension after an incident a couple of months back,” Pulis said. “There were incidents in the first half with Man City players where I think it is as bad if not worse.”

Referee Alan Wiley spoke to former Arsenal captain Vieira after the challenge but took no action.