Manchester City charged with failing to control players: FA

Manchester City’s Nicolas Otamendi (right) challenges Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpooll at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain, on Sunday. — EPA/VNA Photo

LONDON — Manchester City face a charge of failing to control their players by the Football Association for their surrounding the referee Michael Oliver when he awarded a penalty in the  一- 一 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

Oliver, the same referee who was surrounded by Manchester United players in the fractious FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea last week and resulted in the club being fined  二0,000 pounds (US$ 二 四, 七00), awarded a penalty to Liverpool when he judged Gael Clichy to have fouled Roberto Firmino in the  五0th minute.

"It is alleged that in or around the  五0th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion,"大众said an FA statement.

James Milner tucked away the penalty to give the visitors the lead but Sergio Aguero levelled with just over  二0 minutes remaining to ensure City salvaged a point in the gripping match at Etihad Stadium.

Oliver booked both Clichy and his Spanish team-mate David Silva -- who was the most forthright in protesting -- after awarding the penalty.

City have until  一 八00GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge. — AFP