FA charge QPR over brawl with China side

LONDON - QUEENS Park Rangers were charged yesterday with misconduct by the Football Association for their brawl with China's Olympic team.

The FA said the English club failed to ensure 'that their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refraining from violent and/or threatening behaviour'.

The Feb 7 match between QPR and China's under-23 team ended 15 minutes early, after players from both teams fought on the field.

China's Zheng Tao was hospitalised with a broken jaw and seven members of the team were sent home early.

QPR suspended their assistant manager Richard Hill. He has been charged with violent conduct by the FA.

The club have until March 12 to respond.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have appealed to the FA over Robbie Keane's red card for handball in the 4-1 Premiership victory over Bolton last week.

The ball struck the chest of the striker, before appearing to hit his arm as it dropped.

Referee Graham Poll issued a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Keane insists he chested the ball. He will be suspended for the match against West Ham on Sunday if the FA rejects the appeal.

ASSOCIATED PRESS