FA clears Fabregas in spitting row

The Football Association has brought an end to one of the season's biggest controversies by clearing Cesc Fabregas of spitting at Brian Horton, the Hull City assistant manager. Phil Brown, the Hull manager had accused Arsenal's captain of spitting at Horton at the end of the clubs' stormy FA Cup quarter-final tie in March.

An independent commission has judged that there was not enough evidence to find Fabregas guilty.

The Spanish midfielder had always denied the incident, which was alleged to take place in the tunnel at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal had won the tie 2-1 following an 84th-minute goal by William Gallas. Extraordinary scenes ensued as an angry Brown vented his frustrations at his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger, whom he accused of refusing to shake hands, and at Fabergas who was injured at the time and not involved in the match.

Fabregas was charged on two counts - one for coming on to the pitch and the second for spitting. Controversially, his choice of clothing that night - a black hooded jacket, jeans and trainers - featured prominently in Hull's evidence. Wenger joked that if his player had been wearing "black tie" he might not have got into such trouble.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Sam Wallace, the Independent: Bizarrely, the player himself has known for a week that he is not to face disciplinary action – he was the subject of two separate charges – but the FA have delayed the announcement. It is thought that they have held back in deference to Hull City who are playing for their Premier League status against Manchester United on Sunday. However, the delay has meant that Fabregas has had to continue with the charges hanging over him. ·