
Mousa
Dembele could be set to miss the start of next season after the Tottenham
midfielder was charged with violent conduct following Monday's 'Battle of
the Bridge'.
Chelsea and Spurs have also been charged by the Football Association with
three breaches of failing to control their players during the
Monday
Night Football encounter, which saw the home side come back from two
goals down to secure a 2-2 draw and end Tottenham's chances of winning the
Premier League.
Dembele has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not
seen by the match officials but caught on video after he was involved in an
incident with Diego Costa towards the end of the first half.
If Dembele is found guilty, the FA has indicated that the standard
three-match suspension would be a 'clearly insufficient' punishment.
The Belgian has until 6pm on Thursday, May 5 to respond to the charge.
In April 2013 then-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned by the FA for 10
games for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
An FA statement said: "It is alleged the player's behaviour constituted
violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three
matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient."
The statement added: "Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time
by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite
referees.
"Each referee panel member will review the video footage independently of
one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.
"For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the
decision of the panel must be unanimous."
Both clubs have been charged for three breaches of FA Rule E20 for failing
to control their players and/or officials.
The FA charges come after incidents in the 45th and 87th minutes and also at
the end of the game at Stamford Bridge and both clubs have until 6pm on
Monday, May 9 to respond to their charge.