Arsenal's Gervinho (L) scuffles with Newcastle United's Joey Barton resulting in his sending off during their English Premier League soccer match in Newcastle Saturday. — Reuters LONDON — Newcastle United and Arsenal were charged by the FA Monday for failing to control their players during their bad-tempered goalless draw in the opening Premier League match of the season at St. James' Park Saturday. Arsenal's new striker Gervinho was sent off on his debut for striking Newcastle's Joey Barton, while its midfielder Alex Song could face sanctions after being charged with violent conduct after stamping on Barton in an incident which was missed by referee Peter Walton. Both clubs reported the news on their websites and have until Aug. 18 to appeal against the charges. Arsenal has already said it will appeal Gervinho's sending off. In a statement the FA said: “Both clubs have been charged following a mass confrontation of players following an incident in which Arsenal's Gervinho was shown a red card in the 75th minute.” There was a mass confrontation of players following the incident with Newcastle's players claiming Gervinho dived to try and gain a penalty. Following Gervinho's dismissal Arsenal lodged a claim that the standard punishment of a three-match suspension was excessive. Both clubs have until 1500GMT Thursday to respond to the charges. Song must reply by 1700GMT Tuesday. Barton was shown a yellow card for his part in the confrontation. Turkey match-fixing sanctions Turkey's football federation Monday deferred a decision on possible sanctions for Turkish clubs implicated in a match-fixing scandal until a prosecutor's indictment into the case. Federation President Mehmet Aydinlar cited the confidentiality of the investigation and the federation's inability to access or disclose certain evidence or the suspects' testimonies for the delay in possible punishments. “It would not be right, fair or just to deliver a verdict (against the clubs) at this stage,” Aydinlar said. However, Aydinlar said 17 people, including Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim and other senior club officials, would face a disciplinary board. More than 30 people, including Yildirim, have been charged in the probe that involves 19 games last season and has implicated league champion Fenerbahce and several other clubs. Fenerbahce faces relegation and the threat of losing its league title. Turkey has pushed back the start of the season for more than a month until Sept. 9 because of the investigation into the scandal. Aydinlar did not answer a question on whether the federation could relegate clubs after the start of league and the possible turmoil that would cause to the season. “Let's observe the process first and then make a decision,” Aydinlar said.
