Deeney charged over Allen fracas and could face three-match ban

Troy Deeney has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association and is facing a potential three-match ban.

Deeney, the Watford striker, could miss three Premier League games after his confrontation with Stoke’s Joe Allen on Saturday, in which he appeared to clamp the Welshman’s face with his hands.

The 29-year-old, and Allen, were booked after the incident but referee Michael Oliver did not see the apparent “clamping” and Deeney is now facing an FA charge after a panel of three former professional match officials reviewed video footage. Deeney has until tonight to appeal but will miss Watford’s games against Everton, West Ham and Newcastle if he accepts the charge.

The injury-time flashpoint was one of many in a bad-tempered encounter, with Stoke securing a 1-0 victory after a goal from Darren Fletcher. Allen confronted Deeney when the striker appeared to attempt a cross after Stoke had kicked the ball out of play following an injury to their defender Erik Pieters. Stoke manager Mark Hughes demanded an FA investigation after branding Deeney’s actions as “unpleasant”. “I’ve seen pictures of raised hands and thumbnails in faces and that’s not really necessary,” he said. “More often than not, those situations get revisited by people in authority and maybe we should let that take its course.”

Birmingham City and Aston Villa are also facing possible FA action after the stormy Second City derby on Sunday. The FA has asked both Championship clubs for their observations after a number of objects, including bottles and plastic clapper boards, were thrown on to the pitch. Villa defender Ahmed Elmohamady was allegedly struck by a coin in the first half.