Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following a challenge on Stoke's Glenn Whelan.
The 33-year-old Frenchman appeared to kick Whelan in the groin as he stumbled to the floor during the first half of City's 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
Vieira could face a three-match ban for the challenge, although he can appeal against the decision by 6pm on Thursday.
The FA brought the charge against the midfield battler after reviewing television replays on Wednesday, despite the player not picking up a yellow card in the game.
The case against Vieira, who was sent off 10 times in nine years for former club Arsenal, will be heard by a Regulatory Commission on Friday.
If upheld, he could miss the games against Liverpool at Eastlands and the away trips to Stoke (in the FA Cup) and Chelsea.
bollocks