FA charge Wilshere over anti-Spurs chants
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Jack Wilshere has been charged with misconduct by the FA in relation to his anti-Tottenham chants during Arsenal’s FA Cup victory parade on Sunday.
Wilshere, 23, who came through the youth ranks at Arsenal, took to the microphone to mock the Gunners’ north London rivals as the players celebrated on a stage outside Emirates Stadium following Saturday’s 4-0 final victory over Aston Villa.
Wilshere then proceeded to lead the massed ranks of Arsenal fans in a chant which included expletives against Spurs, who again finished below their rivals in the Premier League table.
Wilshere was warned about his future conduct after similar scenes 12 months ago following Arsenal’s 2014 cup final victory over Hull City.
A statement from the FA read: “Jack Wilshere has been charged with misconduct in relation to Arsenal’s FA Cup celebrations on Sunday 31 May 2015.
“It is alleged his conduct in making and/or inciting certain comments during the club’s open bus trophy tour was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.
“The player has until 18.00 on 10 June 2015 to respond to the charge.”
Wilshere used his official Twitter account on Monday afternoon to apologise for any offence caused during the parade.
Sharing back2back Cup wins with so many amazing Gooners is a dream come true. Apologies if I upset or offended any of u with my celebrations
– Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) June 1, 2015
The chair of the Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association Lois Langton said on Monday that Wilshere has been unfairly criticised for the incident.
“There has been far too much sanctimonious comment from certain sections of the media following Jack Wilshere’s singalong at the Emirates yesterday,” Lois Langton told Press Association Sport.
“Much is often made of the so-called disconnect between modern-day players and supporters. It is hardly surprising that players are cautious about wearing their hearts on their sleeves if the reaction to Jack Wilshere is anything to go by.
“No doubt Arsenal will be obliged to remind him of his duties when representing the club in public, but Jack Wilshere showed yesterday that he totally understands what it is to be an Arsenal supporter.
“He has been with us since he was nine years of age and, for him, winning with Arsenal means celebrating with supporters.
“Jack simply reflected what is sung on the terraces up and down the country, week in and week out — the Spurs supporters have exactly the same songs for us.”
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.
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