CAMPBELL HEARING SET

The Guardian

Sol Campbell will defend himself against a charge of violent conduct at a Football Association hearing tomorrow. Arsenal's England centre-half was accused after a clash with Manchester United's Eric Djemba-Djemba during the Community Shield in August.

Campbell appeared to kick out at Djemba-Djemba after the Cameroon international struck him in a groin-high challenge. The United player's tackle was dealt with when the referee Steve Bennett awarded a free-kick to Arsenal but the official did not spot Campbell's retaliation, prompting a review by the FA's video advisory panel.

The verdict was to charge Campbell under rule E2 and, if found guilty, the England man will face a three-match ban.

The suggestion that Campbell was provoked by Djemba-Djemba is not likely to be accepted as mitigation for his retaliation.