Joe Allen has refuted claims he was bitten by Bradley Johnson during Stoke’s 2-1 win over Derby on Wednesday evening, but the County midfielder has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association regardless.
The incident came in the aftermath of a challenge from Peter Etebo on Richard Keogh which saw the Potters player sent off.
The match was screened live on Sky Sports and replays appeared to show Johnson sinking his mouth into Allen’s shoulder.
It is thought he only succeeded in getting a mouthful of the Wales international’s shirt, and Allen was bemused by suggestions he was bitten.
Both players were booked, and Allen told the Stoke Sentinel: “People asked me at half-time what had happened and suggested I’d been bitten, but to clear it all up, that didn’t happen.
“He might have caught a bit of my shirt, but I think we can lay that one to rest.”
In a statement on Thursday, the FA said: “Derby County’s Bradley Johnson has been charged with violent conduct.
“It follows an incident with Stoke City’s Joe Allen during yesterday’s game [Wednesday 28 November 2018] which was not seen by the match officials but caught on camera.
“It is alleged that the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient.”
Rams boss Frank Lampard said of the incident: “Joe Allen and Gary Rowett just said there wasn’t much in it, I haven’t seen it again, so I can’t give any information other than that.”
Counterpart Gary Rowett, speaking immediately after the game, said: “Originally someone said to me Bradley Johnson’s bit Joe Allen.
“I’ve spoken to Joe Allen, he’s said nothing problematic, and the referee. We certainly won’t be pushing for anything and I hope no-one else does.”
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