FA requests Bergkamp 'elbow' tape
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Your support makes all the difference.Dennis Bergkamp faces another trial by video after catching the West Ham United midfielder Lee Bowyer in the face during Sunday's game at Highbury.
The incident, which was missed by the referee, occurred in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal as Bergkamp held off the challenge of Bowyer with his arm. Bowyer fell to the floor while Bergkamp crossed for Thierry Henry to head Arsenal into a lead they were not to relinquish.
The Football Association said it has requested a video of the incident but will await the referee's report before deciding if any action is necessary.
Bergkamp, who was fined by the FA last month for stamping on the Blackburn defender Nils-Eric Johansson, said: "It was an accident, I was protecting the ball and the only time I knew he was there was when I turned and there was contact with him."
Arsène Wenger, Bergkamp's manager, took the same view, saying: "Did Dennis elbow Bowyer? Yes. But did he mean to do it? I doubt it. It looked like he was protecting the ball and Bowyer ran into him."
Robert Pires, Bergkamp's team-mate, also spoke out in his own defence after the West Ham manager, Glenn Roeder, said he had "needed no encouragement to fall over" when Steve Lomas conceded the penalty from which Arsenal scored their first goal on Sunday. "I did not dive and I am not a cheat," Pires said. "I was going through to shoot and was fouled. It was a red card because he was the last defender. Maybe next time he will keep his arm in his pocket."
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has denied a charge of violent conduct after his two-footed challenge on Everton's Gary Naysmith last month. An FA hearing will take place on a date to be announced.
Graeme Souness, the Blackburn manager, has also denied charges of improper conduct and abusive and/or insulting language during a Worthington Cup tie against Wigan Athletic last month. Souness's hearing will take place on 18 February. Nottingham Forest's manager Paul Hart has been charged with the same offence, though. Hart was incensed by a red card for his striker, Jack Lester, in a First Division match against Reading last month.
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