Derby's Bradley Johnson charged with violent conduct over 'biting' incident

Image credit: Reuters

The English Football Association (FA) has charged Derby County midfielder Bradley Johnson with violent conduct for an allegedly biting Joe Allen in a Championship game, although the Stoke City midfielder played down the incident.

The pair clashed after Stoke`s Oghenekaro Etebo was sent off in the side`s 2-1 victory on Wednesday, with TV replays suggesting Johnson sank his teeth into Allen`s shoulder.

Joe Allen said Johnson had merely bitten his jersey but the country's football association said that after reviewing footage of the incident, the Derby player would face a trial by an Independent Regulatory Commission.

"Derby County`s Bradley Johnson has been charged with violent conduct," the FA said in a statement.

"It follows an incident with Stoke City`s Joe Allen during yesterday`s game (November 28) 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."

Johnson now faces a minimum four-game ban if found guilty. He has to respond to the charge by Friday.

In 2013, Uruguayan star striker Luis Suarez was handed a ban of ten games for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic while playing for Liverpool.