Vieira finds himself back in the FA dock

PATRICK VIEIRA will find himself in front of the Football Association tomorrow little more than six weeks after returning to English football.

The former Arsenal captain, who joined Manchester City last month, must answer a charge of violent conduct after appearing to kick Stoke's Glenn Whelan between the legs on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old was no stranger to the FA or disciplinary action during his nine years at Arsenal, accumulating 100 bookings and ten red cards before joining Inter Milan in 2005.

His latest alleged indiscretion came early in his new side's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was enraged that referee Alan Wiley took no action after Vieira appeared to kick out following a challenge by Whelan.

The FA have since studied replays and yesterday brought a charge against the Frenchman.

Vieira, who could face a ban if found guilty, must decide today how he intends to plead.

Similar cases of the FA taking retrospective action have seen Stoke's Robert Huth and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand banned in recent months.

Pulis referred to the Huth incident as he called for "parity" after Tuesday's game.

"We had a player given a three-game suspension after an incident a couple of months back," he said. "There were incidents in the first half with Man City players where I think it is as bad if not worse."