• Premier League

Wilshere charged over City gesture

ESPN staff
December 17, 2013
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The Football Association has charged Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere over an obscene gesture he made at Manchester City.

Wilshere was caught on camera raising a middle finger towards the home supporters during Saturday's 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium but the incident was not seen by the match officials during the game.

However, after video footage of the incident was reviewed, the England international has been retrospectively charged with "making an offensive and/or insulting and/or abusive gesture".

The FA added on its official website that the decision to charge Wilshere had been taken as a result of a new pilot scheme in which a three-man panel must unanimously agree that the incident would have warranted a red card if it been seen at the time.

In 2011, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was given a one-match ban and a £20,000 fine after he admitted a similar offence.

Wilshere has until 6pm on December 18 to respond to the charge.

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