Jack Wilshere charged by FA over middle finger gesture to Manchester City fans

Jack Wilshere has been charged y the Football Association for a gesture he made to Manchester City fans during Arsenal’s 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Television cameras picked up Wilshere raising his middle finger in the direction of City fans during the second half of Saturday’s clash, but the incident went unnoticed by the match officials.

Wilshere has been charged under the FA’s new pilot project for potential ‘not seen’ incidents and should he be found guilty he faces missing Monday’s Premier League game against Chelsea.

“Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been charged by The FA with making an offensive and/or insulting and/or abusive gesture,” a statement on the FA website read.

“The charge follows an alleged gesture made during the fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 14 December. The incident was not seen by match officials but was caught on video.

“Wilshere has been charged retrospectively by The FA under a new pilot project for potential ‘not seen’ incidents in Premier League matches.

“Under the new process, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel will be asked by The FA to review it and advise what, if any action, they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.

“For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence. In this instance, the panel were unanimous.

“Wilshere has until 6pm on 18 December to respond to the charge.”