Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel denies charge of violent conduct
Wednesday 25 March 2015 06:46, UK
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has denied a charge of violent conduct following Sunday's game with Manchester United at Anfield.
The charge relates to an incident with David De Gea towards the end of the game where Skrtel appeared to stand on the United keeper’s leg.
If found guilty, the Liverpool defender could face a three-game ban - the same punishment given to Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who was retrospectively found guilty of stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can during a Capital One Cup clash against Liverpool in January.
But he has appealed the charge, which was issued on Monday by the FA after examining video evidence, and Sky sources understand he insists the contact with de Gea was accidental and not intentional.
A three-game ban would see Skrtel miss Liverpool's vital Premier League trip to Arsenal on April 4, their FA Cup replay against Blackburn on April 8 and the home game against Newcastle five days later.
Liverpool are already without Steven Gerrard for those three game after the club captain was sent off just 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute for a stamp on Ander Herrera.
