Sissoko charged by FA for violent conduct

Moussa Sissoko has been charged by the Football Association for his elbow on Bournemouth’s Harry Arter on Saturday.

Sissoko had only been on the field for eight minutes when he and Arter tussled for a loose ball at a throw-in, with the France international seeming to throw his right elbow into his opponent’s face.

Referee Craig Pawson missed the incident at the time – despite having an excellent view – enabling the FA to take retrospective action.

An FA statement read: “Moussa Sissoko has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

“The Tottenham Hotspur forward was involved in an incident with AFC Bournemouth’s Harry Arter in the 79th minute of the game on Saturday [October 22, 2016].

“He has until 6pm on Tuesday, October 25 to reply.”

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino says they will accept the charge after reviewing the incident.

“We accept it, as a club,” Pochettino told a news conference ahead of their EFL Cup meeting with Liverpool. “It was difficult to view the action but, after we see it on TV, we accept the charge and now we move forward.

“It wasn’t intentional but his elbow was in Arter’s face. It’s clear.

“Sometimes an action, during the game, happens like this. We will keep him fit in training for when he’s available again.”

Sissoko is facing up to a three-game ban, although he had an unlikely ally in Arter after the game.